INSPIRE A NEWGENERATION OF DOCTORS

BE AVOLUNTEER

Hala Bunni, M.D. (’08)OB/GYN ResidentFranklin Square HospitalBaltimore, Md.

As part of the AUC Alumni Contact

Network, you will play a vital role

in helping to recruit and mentor aspiring

doctors by contacting prospective, accepted

and current students to share your experience

at AUC and your knowledge of the medical

field. Hearing your perspective as an AUC

graduate and accomplished medical doctor

helps encourage potential students and

motivate current students to succeed. Alumni

volunteers assist prospective and current

AUC students by addressing general

questions or concerns and offering their

unique experience at AUC through

conversations via phone or e-mail.

Office of Alumni Relations305-446-0600, ext. 1032, alumni@aucmed.edu

www.aucmed.edu/alumni/volunteer-programs.html

To find out more, please contact the Office of Alumni Relationsat 305-446-0600, ext. 1032 or alumni@aucmed.edu

WINTER/SPRING 2009, NUMBER 7

12

4 Campus

12 Honors

14 Profiles

18 Publications

20 Cover Story: Oh, Canada!Cover photo: Dr. Denise Man. Photo by Ara Howrani.

32 AUC 30 Years

36 Class Notes

42 Island News

44 Traces

Dr. Elise McCormack, AUC Canadian alumna, is completing her residency in the United States. Photo by Ara Howrani.

Dr. Alan Weintraub and his hockey team.

The 2009 Heineken Regatta. Photo by Tim Wright.

Table of Contents

20

43

Dear Alumni,

We recently returned from this year’s graduation ceremony in St. Maarten and were

quite impressed at the strides the school has been making over the past few years.

Commencement, which is held in April, had the highest attendance in the history of the

school. The Maho Beach Resort ballroom, where the celebration was held, was filled

to capacity as 113 graduates walked onto the stage to receive their diplomas, and as

over 480 guests watched with pride. A testament to the caliber of our students and

faculty, most of the newly minted alumni also matched into quite impressive specialties

and residency programs. We are running a list of this year’s matches in this magazine

so that all can share in their success. Congratulations, classes of 2008 and 2009!

In this issue of AUC Connections, our main feature highlights the accomplishments of

some of our alumni from our northern neighbor, Canada. Though comprising a small

percentage of the AUC community, our Canadian graduates were led, like many others, to the American University of the

Caribbean to fulfill a dream which otherwise might not have been. Canadian medical schools are notoriously competitive, and

sometimes even the best and brightest student may not gain admittance to one of the only 17 medical schools in that nation.

Some of our Canadian alumni have returned to their country for residency, some for practice, and some for both. Some also

made the United States their home and the place to hang their white coat. One element all of them have in common, however,

is AUC, which provided them with the springboard to launch an exciting journey into the world of medicine. Our Canadian

grads show that with lot of dedication, hard work and, yes, a pinch of adventure in the spirit, the dream can be fulfilled.

We also want to take the opportunity to thank all who attended the second alumni reunion and 30th anniversary of the medical

school this past September in Miami. The success of the event was the culmination of months of preparation and planning by

the alumni relations department and the school. It was great seeing some familiar faces and some new ones. Since our alumni

are scattered all over the country and abroad, it is nice to put a face with the people we know through e-mail and telephone!

A memorable note this time was the CME program which had one very accomplished AUC graduate as a speaker. We hope

to have more such events in the future, and wish all alumni can attend. Please give us your feedback on topics and locations

for potential events. We want to hear from you.

We hope you enjoy this edition! As always, feel free to let us know what you think, what kind of stories you would like to see

in upcoming editions, and what we can do to make your magazine better.

Sincerely,

D.F. Jones

Director of Alumni Relations

First Words

Please send your comments and suggestions to aucconnections@aucmed.eduWINTER/SPRING 2009, NUMBER 7

Director of Alumni RelationsD.F. Jones

EditorPaula Distefano

Copy EditorsPatricia LitwinSophia Pino

Contributing WritersSam AraujoMolly GoalieJaclyn MessinaMichael NorthRebecca RodriguezRobin Julia Thieme

Graphic DesignerMarta A. Oppenheimer

Contributing PhotographersKathryn BehrischRobert HolmesAra HowraniScott LevittTim Wright

Editorial OfficeAUC ConnectionsOffice of Alumni RelationsMedical Education Administrative Services901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 700Coral Gables, FL 33134Phone 305.446.0600, ext. 1032Fax 786.433.0974E-mail aucconnections@aucmed.eduWeb www.aucmed.edu/aucconnections

AUC Board of TrusteesJohn Byrnes, M.D.Robert Chertok, Ph.D.The Rev’d Jeffrey L. Hamblin, M.D. (’92)Ronald Harden, O.B.E.Carol Holden, Ph.D.Richard Kitch, J.D.Frank Marsh, F.R.C.P.Robert Sokol, M.D.

Alumni Association Executive BoardFaith Dillard, M.D. (’99) PresidentTarik Haddad, M.D. (’01) Vice PresidentRizwana Fareeduddin, M.D. (’01) SecretaryRonald Schneider, M.D. (’02) TreasurerPlease send all questions, comments and suggestionsto the address or e-mail listed above. AUC Connectionseditors reserve the right to edit all print submissionsfor length and clarity, and assume no responsibility forunsolicited submissions. Reproduction for publicationwithout written permission is prohibited.Opinions expressed are those of the editorial staff orcontributing writers and do not necessarily represent theofficial positions of Medical Education AdministrativeServices, American University of the Caribbean or theAUC Alumni Association.AUC Connections is printed by Color Express at7990 West 25th Court, Hialeah, FL 33016.If your address or contact information has changedsince you last updated it with AUC, please submityour new information to the address above or onlineat: aucmed.edu/alumni/update-form.html.

Just a note to say thanks for your publication. I’ve shown it to co-workers who were intrigued by

my Caribbean medical roots, and it has helped them to “get it.”

— Gary Vize, M.D. (’92)

The 30th anniversary edition brought back a lot of memories of being on

the island. I’m a 1985 grad, so my time there will always be memorable.

Thanks again for your time and effort.

— Gregory J. Trudell, M.D. (’85)

Thank you for forwarding a copy of the current edition of AUC

Connections. I thoroughly enjoy reading our magazine. I hope

to become more involved with AUC once I complete my

residency, for now I am more than eager to participate in

contacting prospective students and/or attending open

houses in the New York City area!

— Leonardo Holguin, M.D. (’06)

I called my classmate Judy Millspaugh Anderson after I saw

her page in the last edition. It was a terrific message for

us “old timers” and all.

— M. Jonathan Tessler, M.D. (’81)

Since [Montserrat] I have done so many things in my life,

but I will always remember my days “on the island,” and

smile. While we were all there with the sole purpose of

becoming physicians, some of my best friendships were

born there and continue with me to this day. I read with

pride the accomplishments of my colleagues and friends.

And the articles that I read in AUC Connections just

further reinforce the fact that it was worth it.

— S. John Pappas, M.D. (’86)

Letters to the Editor

Sarah McCarty, M.D., joined the faculty of the American Universityof the Caribbean as professor and chair of the introduction to clinical

medicine department in January 2009. McCarty earned her medicaldegree from the University of Vermont in 1979 and completed her internalmedicine residency at Marshall University School of Medicine in WestVirginia. After completing residency, McCarty joined the internal medicinefaculty at Marshall, where she practiced medicine and taught clinical skills.In 1988, she moved to Albuquerque, N.M., to work in women’s health forLovelace Healthcare. In 1991, she returned to Marshall to teach andcontinue with her primary care practice. She was named associate dean ofacademic affairs at the same institution and served in that capacity until lastyear. She became the director of the clinical skills lab at Marshall in 2007.

Q & A with professor McCarty:

Q: What are your goals for this term?A: My goals are to provide AUC studentswith the clinical training needed to “hit theground running” when they enter their clinicalyears of training. This should provide themnot only with excellent communication andphysical examination skills, but also with theconfidence of knowing that they are morethan ready for the challenges of their clinicalyears. In order to accomplish this we mustfoster an active learning style with freeexchange between teacher and learner. Weneed to emphasize problem-solving skills and encourage academiccuriosity. After rotations I want faculty and residents to say of our students,“Wow, they were great! Please send me more AUC students.”

Q: How are you going to accomplish that?A: I want to be sure that our expectations of students are clear. I want toreview our learning objectives and evaluate how well we are meeting them.I also want to come to know the faculty. I hope to be able to look at ICM’srole within the entire curriculum and see how we might interact with othercourses within the school. And most importantly I am looking forward tomeeting more of the students at AUC. To date the students I have met havebeen friendly, bright and enthusiastic. I am looking forward to the time thatI walk into the rotunda and know all of the students instead of just a few.

Q: How has it been?A: So far my teaching experience here has been great. I really enjoy smallgroup interaction, and teaching the history and physical exam is one of myfavorite things to do. Students have been very welcoming, and the days justfly by which is a good sign that you are enjoying your work. In regard to

St. Maarten, hey, it is zero degrees in West Virginia right now. Wherewould you rather be? I did not believe the stories about the traffic but nowI do. I may never drive to Phillipsburg again, but I sure do like it right upthe street from the school. There are adjustments to be made, and I ammaking them very slowly. But every day when I am on my way to workand I look at that beautiful blue water and the sun overhead, I think that Ihave made the right choice to come to AUC to teach.

Dwight J. Hertz, M.D., joins AUC’s departmentof pathology as an associate professor. Hertzreceived his undergraduate degree in pharmacyat North Dakota State University and completedhis medical degree and pathology residency atthe University of South Dakota. He was previouslyan associate professor at the same institution, wherehe taught in the clinical laboratory sciences medicaltechnology program and was the pathology coursecoordinator for basic sciences. Hertz was a privatepractitioner in a multi-specialty group in Bismarck,N.D., for 20 years. He is board certified inanatomic and clinical pathology with subspecialty boards in cytopathology.Hertz has a strong interest in medical informatics and education.

Jeffrey M. Shear, M.D., comes to AUC as an associate professor ofpathology from Las Vegas. Originally from Oregon, Shear earned hismedical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1979.He completed his pathology residency at the University of Oregon HealthScience Center, in Portland, and at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, in Houston,Texas. Following residency, Shear completed fellowship work includingsurgical pathology and transfusion medicine. He taught pathology for twoyears at the University of Houston and helped set up a large multipracticeuropathology reference laboratory in San Antonio, as well as a clinicalreference laboratory in Las Vegas. He has worked for the Canadian RedCross Blood Services in Ottawa and at the King Khaled Eye Hospital inRiyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition to his clinical practice and academicpursuits, Shear has served for more than 10 years as a lab inspector forthe College of American Pathologists, of which he is a fellow.

Jerry Adams, Ph.D., joined the AUC facultylast November as the new wellness counselor.Adams received his doctorate in clinical psychologyfrom Michigan State University. His clinicalinternships were completed at university counselingcenters and he has continued to work with universitystudents throughout his career. After graduation,Adams was in private practice as a licensedpsychologist for over 10 years in Lansing, Mich.

New Faces on Campus

Campus

Sarah McCarty, M.D.

Dwight J. Hertz, M.D.

Jerry Adams, Ph.D.4 AUC CONNECTIONS Photos in this page by Kathryn Behrisch.

AUC CONNECTIONS 5

For the past 11 years, he was a lecturer and clinical consultant for the facultyof medical sciences at the University of the West Indies, in Trinidad andTobago. Adams says he enjoys assisting medical students with their variouspsychosocial and academic concerns. His primary objective is to provideAUC students with a high quality, responsive, professional and confidentialwellness service emphasizing prompt response to students’ needs as wellas providing a variety of student-oriented workshops and presentations.

Hurricane Heroes

In a scenario very familiar to some AUC alumni, a category three storm— Hurricane Omar — hit the island of St. Maarten on October 16, 2008.Despite the strength of the storm, there were no fatalities and the island’sinfrastructure and hotel sector sustained minor damages.

Many people, especially local residents, went through a difficult aftermath,with displacements and lack of basic necessities.

As many times before, AUC students, staff and faculty rolled up their sleevesto help those in need. Donation drives were set up to raise funds and AUCChief Operating Officer Yife Tien matched all donations dollar-for-dollar.Over $9,000 was raised. Interim Dean Hiroko Yoshida, Ph.D., spentseveral nights on campus making sure everyone was safe. She went asfar as staying in the lecture hall with students who didn’t feel safe to stayin their own homes. Solutions, one of the off-campus housing providers,offered free lodging to students displaced by the hurricane.

AUC students volunteered time and resources to aid their fellow classmatesand countless others. Some used a dinghy as a makeshift taxi to taketourists to the airport because all the roads were flooded in Beacon Hill.Others were out early the morning after the storm to help the communityclean up debris scattered by Omar.

The Division of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Student GovernmentAssociation honored its “Hurricane Omar Heroes” at a coffee and dessertreception held last November. Honorees were nominated for providingextraordinary service to the AUC community during the trying days ofOmar’s visit to the island. Faculty, staff and students provided personaltestimony as to how “their hero” demonstrated grace, courage and leadership.

All heroes were presented with certificates of appreciation engraved withthe personal statement from the individual who nominated them.

Community Service

St. Maarten’s fight against HIV/AIDS received a boost of $33,000 thanksto the third annual Stronger Together Red Ribbon campaign, which endedwith a radiothon at Scotiabank on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

The radiothon alone raised around $13,000 in pledges and donations. Themoney raised surpassed the $25,000 goal set by its sponsors, accordingto the St. Maarten Daily Herald.

In keeping with AUC’s tradition of community service, a number of volunteersjoined forces with members of the University of St. Martin (USM), and thecommunity at large in helping to man telephone lines, to distribute awarenessand prevention literature, and to offer free and confidential HIV testing.

The money will be used to stimulate the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation’s work,including its youth, counseling and educational programs on the island.

Basic Science News

AUC Student Wins AACA Poster AwardAUC student Jonathan Staidle received the 2008 Sandy C. Marks Jr.Student Poster Presentation Award sponsored by the American Associationof Clinical Anatomists (AACA). The AACA presented three awards at lastyear’s meeting for outstanding posters in the following categories: basicsciences, clinical sciences and education.

Staidle received the highly competitive basic sciences award named afterrenowned and internationally respected research scientist Sandy C. Marks Jr.The poster was entitled “The surgical relevance of significant variationswithin a sample population of cadaveric biceps brachii muscles.” One ofStaidle’s mentors on the project was Quentin Fogg, Ph.D., AACA memberand AUC visiting professor.

Jonathan Staidle (right), pictured with Julia Marks (center), wife of the late Sandy Marks—for whom the award was named, and Anne Gilroy (Chair, Career Development Committee)

Now in its 12th year, the competition was held in Toronto, Canada, with68 participants worldwide. Each award recipient received a $600 check,a certificate and a one-year membership to AACA.

At the same meeting, Fogg along with AUC alumni Alvin Freeman, M.D.(’08) and Nathan Jacobson, M.D. (’08), were met with great acclaimafter the presentation of a paper the three co-authored for volume 21 ofClinical Anatomy, “Anatomical variations of the plantaris muscle and apotential role in patellofemoral pain syndrome.”

“They are definitely to be congratulated, and I’m extremely glad that I wasable to guide them through this process,” said Fogg.

The young doctors currently have two other papers in review and arebeing mentored once again by Fogg as they work on three others.

To read the published paper, please go to:http://aucmed.edu/pdf/CLINICAL-ANATOMY-JOURNAL.pdf

Clinical News

Clinical Campus 10-Year Agreement with New York HospitalOn July 1, 2008, Arthur A. Gianelli, president/CEO of the NassauHealth Care Corporation (NHCC) and Bruce Kaplan, D.O., chief academicofficer of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine,announced an agreement to provide clinical clerkships for AUC’s medicalstudents at Nassau University Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. (NUMC).The agreement will result in a 100 percent increase of the number ofundergraduate medical students being trained at the hospital, a majorpost-graduate teaching facility with 280 residents.

Third-year AUC students will do core rotations in internal medicine, surgery,pediatrics, OB/GYN and psychiatry. Fourth-year students will have theopportunity for multiple elective rotations throughout the hospital and itsvarious community health centers. NUMC will designate a site director thatwill oversee the clerkships, provide clinical supervision and train AUCstudents. The training will include performance of relevant clinical procedureswhile they are taking core and elective clerkships.

According to Steven Walerstein, M.D., NHCC’s senior vice president formedical affairs and medical director, the agreement reflects NUMC’s roleas a major academic medical center for the training of medical students.The organization also has long term affiliations with SUNY Stony Brookand N.Y. College of Osteopathic Medicine. The agreement will also providefunding to upgrade the health sciences library, the departmental classroomfacilities, and improving NUMC’s role as a center of education for thecommunity. In addition, said Walerstein, they will be able to identify thebest students and recruit them into residency programs at NUMC.

“In the long run,” said Walerstein, “it is our hope that these students willchoose to practice in our community, especially serving our patient populationexperiencing health care disparities.”

6 AUC CONNECTIONS

Dean’s ListIn recognition of high academic achievement through the Basic

Sciences portion of the curriculum, the American University ofthe Caribbean acknowledges students who have excelled at theend of each semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students mustcarry a credit load of at least 15 credits and have earned a semestercumulative average grade of at least 87.

Congratulations to these outstandingstudents who have made the Spring 2009Dean’s List (listed in alphabetical order):

1 Jason Abdallah

2 Myo-Pale Aye

3 Aaron Barton

4 Eva Bashover

5 Mackenzie Bear

6 Kelli Boelens

7 Jenna Brown

8 Richard Chastain

9 Sandy Chiang

10 Brian Clear

11 Meghan Cook

12 Michael DeCicca

13 Jennifer Freeman

14 Christina Geddam

15 Matthew Goodwin

16 Kimberly Howe

17 Ann Hughes

18 Chiamaka Iheme

19 Chinenye Iheme

20 Nima Jadidi

21 Anil Jagtiani

22 Kunal Jardosh

23 Meho Jasarevic

24 Angelo Kaplan

25 Beatrice Kenol

26 Michael Kern

27 Timothy Ketterhagen

28 Karthik Kode

29 Jared Kohlhepp

30 Gabriel Krause

31 Nathaniel LaFleur

32 Patrick Laing

33 Jennie Le

34 Matthew Lilien

35 Quynh Mai

36 Andrea Martin

37 Ricky Mehta

38 Anjali Modi

39 Donald Odens

40 Edith Okoye

41 Marlon Pastrana

42 Kashyap Patel

43 Silvia Pereira

44 Laura Pickett

45 Joshua Priebe

46 Brian Reed

47 Rahul Sarna

48 Bryan Shepherd

49 Sunpreet Singh

50 Lucas Smith

51 Amy Swanson

52 Magali Van den Bergh

53 Jenna Watson

54 Andrew Watson

55 Jeremy Whyman

56 Eric Wicks

57 Roger Wyatt

58 Michael Yakubov

59 Firas Yousif

Campus continued

AUC CONNECTIONS 7

Research News

St. Maarten government and AUC signaccord to cooperate in health careSixteen months of toiling behind the scenesculminated in the inking of an agreement betweenthe island government of St. Maarten and AmericanUniversity of the Caribbean School of Medicine tocooperate in research and other areas to enhancehealth care in St. Maarten.

A similar agreement with similar objectives isexpected to be signed between health care officialsof St. Martin in the not-too-distant future.

The agreement was signed by Health CommissionerMaria Buncamper-Molanus and AUC Interim Deanof Basic Medical Sciences Hiroko Yoshida, Ph.D.,in the presence of health care and other officialsof both sides of the island.

Under the accord, parties agree to engage inresearch activities in a number of areas, including HIV/AIDS and othersexually transmitted infections, diabetes, hypertension, reproductive health,elder health, immunization survey, illicit drug use, youth obesity, women’shealth, disease management and health care policy.

Two non-governmental organizations are being formed, one for each sideof the island, under which the research will be executed. The foundationswill share a common board structureand bylaws.

“Through these governing bodieswe hope to conduct new researchand health improvement,” JosephIchter, AUC director of public health,told the gathering witnessing whatwas termed an historical event.

Ichter said AUC, which has so farfunded all activities leading up tothe signing of yesterday’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), waslooking for “outstanding Dutch and French persons” to be nominated tothe boards of the foundations. Nominees needed to be familiar with theculture of the island and its people, should have initiative and want towork with government and industry, he said.

He said the groundwork leading up to the signing had begun 16 monthsago. “From the start this collaborative exercise was seen as a way for AUCto work with the community in a multi-faceted effort to provide healthimprovements to the population, valuable learning experiences to aspiringphysicians, augmentation of the government’s health initiatives, and anavenue for the private sector to have a voice in the health of one of itsutmost valuable economic inputs,” he said.

Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus said the accord reinforcedthe view that high quality health care starts with health care professionalsworking together as partners.

“As partners our shared mission is to improve the health and health care ofSt. Maarten’s residents and our goals of community engagement, healthimprovement, research and education can be most effectively realized.If we are to be successful, the secret of this success will be our closecooperation,” the commissioner said.

She said there had been a build-up to the signing of the MOU throughnumerous discussions. “In addition to the working relationship between

government and AUC, the benefits of the researchpossibilities that come with this MOU should not beunderestimated. The team from the island government,through AUC’s research facilities, can focus ondeveloping solutions throughout the whole cycle ofcare, from diagnosis to treatment, recovery andfollow-up,” she noted.

“We will sign this MOU with AUC to focus oninnovation, patient care and knowledge sharing. Thisis a clear indication of the fact that St. Maarten is

developing — maturing, if you will — in areas only dreamt about in thepast. Beyond the research exposure and training, I look forward tostrengthening ties between AUC and the island government through thisprogram, and to a continued exchange of knowledge and talent.”

AUC official Sue Atchley, Ph.D., also lauded the accord. She told thisnewspaper after the event that AUC had a world-class research lab thatwould benefit the initiative.

Fourth Vice President and Collectivité spokesperson Dr. Louis Jeffry saidthe MOU would give AUC students the chance to experience not only theexcitement of the interaction of the local population with whom they willbe working, but also the structure that would be set up. He said it wouldalso give them the opportunity to participate in health care services notonly at an academic level, but also in the area where “it really counts.” q

Copyright ©2008 The Daily Herald St. Maarten. All rights reserved. Printed with permission.

8 AUC CONNECTIONS

Photo by Scott Levitt.

“Through thesegoverning bodies

we hope to conductnew research and

health improvement.”

In today’s world of diversity, cultural melding and vast range of socio-economic conditions, it is crucial for physicians to be culturally competent,

understanding and appreciative of human differences. With that in mind, agroup of 22 AUC students took part in a Pan American Health Organization(PAHO) vaccination coverage survey in September 2008.

AUC students, as well as several St. Martin University students, partneredwith PAHO (a regional branch of the World Health Organization) and St.Maarten’s Sector Health Care Affairs (SHCA), to act as the field survey armof the research. Under the guidance of James Dobbins, Ph.D., of PAHO,and Joseph Ichter, AUC’s director of public health research, the studentvolunteers were not only responsible for collecting data on children’simmunization, but also educated on the research and survey processes.

The first survey consisted of randomly sampled data from 37 geographicdivisions across Dutch St. Maarten. Children between the ages of 12 and59 months were identified by choosing a single home, and each surveyteam would then continue visiting contiguous homes until eight childrenmeeting the sample criteria were found. The second survey used a blanketingmethodology to identify and record immunization records of all children inthe same age group, but in very limited geographic areas. The latter wasmeant to obtain more detailed coverage of those areas known to have asignificant number of undocumented immigrants in their demographic.

AUC students were able to gather invaluable data that will help improvethe island’s immunization policy.

According to Ichter, St. Maarten modified its vaccination policies after a2002 report showed coverage of only around 60 percent of children. Therevised policy, enacted after the initial report, included free vaccinationsfor all children in hopes of encouraging parents to continue the process inspite of economic or citizenship barriers.

“The 2008 survey was meant to show how that policy may have affectedchildhood immunization rates,” explained Ichter.

According to Ichter, an initial lookat PAHO’s analysis showed that thecumulative number of childrenimmunized at the correct time in thefirst year was exceedingly low —about 10 percent — far short of the

goal of 90 percent. When looking at the 52nd week of age, however, therate increases to 85.2 percent and, by the end of two years, that ratereaches 89.6 percent.

“[This] is well below the WHO’s recommended target rate of 95 percent,”Ichter said. “Obviously, the target wasn’t reached, but on the other hand,a vast improvement was made from the 2002 rates.”

The experience taught the students about the importance of public healthresearch in informing health care policies. This is especially true in regardto children’s immunization, an issue of special interest to tourist destinationcommunities such as St. Maarten.

The project also showcased the diversity of AUC’s student body. The groupof student researchers collectively spoke five languages, namely English,Chinese, French, Portuguese and Spanish, and were able to complete theisland-wide survey in only three days.

“When I realized that a language barrier could be in the way of collectingthe data, I had to reassure the parents that was not a problem and switchto one of the other languages I speak,” said third-year student BrizaJunqueira, who is fluent in Spanish.

“I would encourage every medical student to participate in this type of project.In the future, we will have to be as flexible and willing to accommodate theneeds of our patients,” she added.

The opportunity to be part of a project that can bring improvement to theisland undoubtedly enriched the lives of those who volunteered — both ona personal and professional level.

“I felt it was an eye-opening experience to venture away from the touristattractions and into the residential areas where the local people live andwitness them in their daily lives,” third-year student Lindsey Whiteman noted.“[I realized] that even though it’s another country, values and familial bondsare exactly like our own.”

AUC students have also volunteered in two dengue research platforms, onefocused on how patients contracting dengue accessed the health caresystem, while the other was a case-control study centered on risk factors ofthe disease during epidemics. Another research project being conductedis helping the local health care system develop a case-based evaluationtool for their new community nursing LPN program in St. Maarten.

“More projects are in the works,” said Ichter.

“Once the more encompassing research agreement is completed with thegovernments of St. Martin/St. Maarten, we expect to be able to expandthe research through grant applications,” he said. q

Sam Araujo is a third-year AUC medical student.

Students Make Strides in Vaccination ResearchBy Sam Araujo

“I would encourage every medical studentto participate in this type of project.”

AUC CONNECTIONS 9

AnesthesiologyMassachusettsBoston University Medical Center, Boston (PGY-2)New YorkNassau University Medical Center, East Meadow– 3 matches (PGY-2)University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester(PGY-2)SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse (PGY-2)

Emergency MedicineLouisianaLSU Health Sciences Center, ShreveportMichiganSt. John Hospital, DetroitWayne State University/Detroit Medical Center,Detroit – 3 matchesNew YorkEinstein/Jacobi Medical Center, BronxLincoln Medical Center, Queens (PGY-2)SUNY Upstate Medical University, SyracuseOhioUniversity Hospitals Case Medical Center, ClevelandUniversity of Toledo, Toledo

FamilyMedicineAlabama

University of AlabamaSchool of Medicine, Tuscaloosa

ArizonaPhoenix Baptist Hospital, Phoenix

ArkansasAHEC Fayetteville – 2 matches

AHEC Pine BluffAHEC Southwest, TexarkanaCaliforniaCalifornia Hospital Medical Center,Los AngelesKaiser Permanente, Riverside – 2 matchesMercy Medical Center, MercedUniversity of California, San FranciscoCanadaQueen’s University Medical School,Kingston, OntarioUniversity of Manitoba, Winnipeg,Manitoba

University of Toronto, OntarioFlorida

Florida Hospital, OrlandoTallahassee Memorial Hospital, TallahasseeIllinoisMcGaw Medical Center of NorthwesternUniversity, Chicago – 2 matchesSt. Joseph Hospital, ChicagoUniversity of Illinois Methodist Medical Center, Peoria

KansasUniversity of Kansas School of Medicine, KansasCity – 2 matches

KentuckySt. Elizabeth Medical Center, EdgewoodUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville

LouisianaBaton Rouge General, Baton RougeLSU Health Sciences Center, AlexandriaLSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport

MarylandUniversity of Maryland Medical Center, BaltimoreMichiganBeaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe – 3 matchesMcLaren Regional Medical Center, FlintProvidence Hospital, Southfield – 2 matchesSt. John Hospital, Detroit – 2 matchesMissouriCox Health Center, SpringfieldNew JerseyOverlook Hospital, SummitSomerset Medical Center, SomervilleUMDNJ CentraState, Freehold

UMDNJ, NewarkNew YorkMid-Hudson Family Practice Residency Program,KingstonNorth CarolinaDuke University Medical Center, DurhamNorth DakotaUniversity of North Dakota School of Medicine,BismarckOhioMiami Valley Hospital, DaytonNEOUCOM, Barberton – 2 matchesOklahomaSt. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma CityUniversity of Oklahoma, Oklahoma CityPennsylvaniaAltoona Family Physicians, AltoonaDrexel University/Hahnemann UniversityHospital, PhiladelphiaMedical Center, BeaverMontgomery Hospital, NorristownYork Hospital, YorkSouth CarolinaAnderson Area Medical Center, Anderson– 2 matchesGreenville Hospital System/University of SouthCarolina School of Medicine, Greenville– 2 matchesTennesseeUniversity of Tennessee School of Medicine,Knoxville – 2 matchesTexasChristus Spohn Memorial Hospital, Corpus Christi– 2 matchesWyomingUniversity of Wyoming, Casper – 2 matches

General SurgeryMichiganProvidence Hospital, Southfield – 2 matchesNew JerseyMonmouth Medical Center, Long BranchSeton Hall University School of Health & MedicalSciences, South OrangeTennesseeUniversity of Tennessee School of Medicine,Knoxville

Internal MedicineCaliforniaKern Medical Center, BakersfieldSan Joaquin General Hospital, French CampSanta Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa BarbaraSt. Mary Medical Center, Long BeachUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles

10 AUC CONNECTIONS

American University of the Caribbean graduates have obtained residencies intraditionally highly competitive fields and many report having been offered

a choice of residency positions by the time they graduate. Below you willfind a list of the positions that have been reported to us by the NRMP(and placements outside of the match reported to us directly fromour graduates). Please note that this is not a complete list andwill be updated as more positions (pre-match and post-match“scramble”) are reported to us. For a comprehensive list, pleasego to www.aucmed.edu and click on “alumni”

2009 ResidencyPlacements

ConnecticutStamford Hospital/Columbia University, StamfordFloridaMt. Sinai Medical Center, MiamiOrlando Regional, Orlando – 2 matchesUniversity of Miami/JFK Medical Center, AtlantisIllinoisCook County-Stroger Hospital, ChicagoIndianaIndiana University School of Medicine, IndianapolisLouisianaLSU Health System/Earl K. Long Medical Center,Baton RougeMaineMaine Medical Center, PortlandMarylandUnion Memorial Hospital, BaltimoreMichiganHenry Ford Health Sciences Center, DetroitProvidence Hospital, SouthfieldSt. John Hospital, DetroitMissouriUniversity Hospitals, ColumbiaNew JerseyCapital Health Systems Helene Fuld Hospital, TrentonUMDNJ, NewarkNew YorkLutheran Medical Center, BrooklynSUNY Health Sciences Center, Brooklyn – 2 matchesWinthrop University Hospital, Mineola – 2 matchesNorth CarolinaWake Forest University, Winston-SalemOhioCase Western University/MetroHealth MedicalCenter, ClevelandMount Carmel Health, ColumbusOklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma College of Medicine, TulsaPennsylvaniaDrexel University /Hahnemann University Hospital,PhiladelphiaWestern Pennsylvania Hospital, PittsburghTennesseeEast Tennessee State University, Johnson CityUtahUniversity of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Salt Lake CityVirginiaNaval Medical Center, PortsmouthWest VirginiaWest Virginia University School of Medicine, Charleston

Internal Medicine – PreliminaryMassachusettsUniversity of Massachusetts Medical School,WorcesterNew JerseyAtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic CityNew YorkLong Island College Hospital, BrooklynNassau University Medical Center, East MeadowRichmond University Medical Center, Staten IslandStaten Island University Hospital, Staten IslandSUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, BuffaloWilson Medical Center, Greater Binghamton

PennsylvaniaHershey Medical Center, Hershey

NeurologyMassachusettsUniversity of Massachusetts Medical School,Worcester (PGY-2)New YorkSt. Vincent’s Hospital, New York CityWestchester Medical Center, Valhalla (PGY-2)

OB/GYNIllinoisCook County-Stroger Hospital, ChicagoLouisianaLSU Health Sciences Center, ShreveportLSU Health Sciences Center, New OrleansMichiganSt John Hospital, DetroitNew JerseyMonmouth Medical Center, Long BranchNew YorkQueens Hospital/Mt. Sinai, JamaicaSUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, BuffaloWest VirginiaMarshall University School of Medicine, HuntingtonWest Virginia University School of Medicine,Morgantown

OtolaryngologyMarylandUniversity of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore

PathologyNew JerseySt. Barbabas, LivingstonUMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson, PiscatawayNorth CarolinaPitt County Memorial Hospital/Brody School ofMedicine, GreenvilleOhioWestern Reserve Care/NEOUCOM, Youngstown

PediatricsArizonaSt. Joseph’s Hospital, PhoenixCaliforniaUniversity of California, San FranciscoIllinoisUniversity of Illinois-St. Francis Medical Center,Peoria – 2 matchesLouisianaTulane University School of Medicine, New OrleansNevadaUniversity of Nevada Affiliated Hospitals, Las Vegas– 2 matches

New YorkFlushing Hospital, QueensNassau University Medical Center, East MeadowSUNY BrooklynSUNY Stony BrookSUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo– 2 matchesWinthrop University Hospital, Mineola

OhioChildren’s Hospital-NEOUCOM

TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee, Erlanger Hospital,Chattanooga

Physical Medicine& RehabilitationNew YorkSUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo (PGY-2)University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital,Rochester

Preliminary SurgeryArizonaMaricopa Medical Center, PhoenixConnecticutWaterbury Hospital, WaterburyYale/New Haven Hospital, New HavenMarylandUniversity of Maryland Medical Center, BaltimoreMassachusettsBerkshire Medical Center, PittsfieldMichiganMichigan State University, KalamazooSt. Joseph Mercy, OaklandMissouriUniversity of Missouri, ColumbiaNew YorkAlbert Einstein, Montefiore – 2 matchesMt. Sinai Hospital, New York City – 2 matchesSound Shore Medical Center, New RochelleUpstate Medical University, SyracuseTennesseeUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville

PsychiatryArizonaMaricopa Medical Center, PhoenixLouisianaLSU Health Sciences Center, New OrleansMassachusettsBaystate Medical Center, SpringfieldMichiganWayne State University/Detroit Medical Center,DetroitNevadaUniversity of Nevada Affiliated Hospitals, Las VegasNew YorkCreedmoor Psychiatric Center (affiliate of N.Y.Presbyterian), Queen’s VillageNorth General Hospital, New York CityStony Brook Hospital, Stony BrookTexasUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, GalvestonVirginiaVirginia Commonwealth University Health SystemWest VirginiaWest Virginia University School of Medicine

Transitional YearMichiganDetroit Medical Center, DetroitProvidence Hospital, SouthfieldNew YorkWilson Memorial Regional Hospital, GreaterBinghamton

AUC CONNECTIONS 11

Brain specialists know the dangers of playing ice hockey, but AlanWeintraub M.D. (’82), not only accepts those risks, but also plays in

a men’s league two to three times per week.

When not in a lab coat and stethoscope, Weintraub is likely in hiking gear,or paddling in a kayak pursuing his lifelong passion for sports. So muchso, that as a medical student at the American University of the Caribbeanback in Montserrat, Weintraub started the school’s first softball team.

“One of our professors would say, ‘I am the rooster and you are my littlechickens,’” Weintraub, 52, said. That led him to name the team the“Little Chickens.”

While starting and playing on the softball team, Weintraub earned hismedical degree from AUC in 1982. His current position as medical directorof the Brain Injury Treatment Team at the Craig Hospital in Denver allowshim to treat both professional athletes and civilians and conduct valuableresearch in the field. He also is a consultant to the Denver Broncos andthe Colorado Avalanche.

“I have always wanted to do something medically that combines sportand science,” he said.

Weintraub, a Washington, D.C., native, thought at first that his calling wasin physical therapy. He earned his PT degree from Florida InternationalUniversity in Miami and attended the University of South Florida, in Tampa,

for pre-med. After being accepted to AUC, he was off to Montserrat toearn a medical degree.

“I went on a leap of faith that it [would] all work out. I never applied to amedical school in the United States,” he said.

It was at AUC that Weintraub found that he was called to primary care,specifically, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The training he receivedwhile attending the university prepared him for professional success, he says.

“AUC offered individuality to grow while most medical schools arepredictable or overly structured. The school operates on a ‘you get outwhat you put in’ basis and the flexibility and individuality better preparedme for my internship and residency.

“The science education was excellent,” Weintraub added. “The schoolgave me the opportunity to live in a strange culture, grow up, and matureto handle post-graduate demands.”

Along with the strong medical foundation he received from AUC, Weintraubalso had many unique experiences on Montserrat. He remembers seeingPaul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet, Cheap Trick and Stevie Wonder performwhile bartending at the Agouti Inn. His love for the outdoors had himriding motorcycles in the hills and scuba diving.

“I remember a barge loaded with Heineken sank in the harbor. We wereable to use our scuba gear to recover the beer at the bottom of the ocean.You could call it [a] buried treasure.”

After his time at AUC, Weintraub began his residency at the University ofColorado. He then joined the world-renowned Craig Hospital in 1986.

Even though he was trained in a foreign country, Weintraub says he didnot face any major challenges obtaining his license to practice medicinein the United States.

“I had to deal with some prejudices, but in the end you take the sameexams, do the same interviews and deal with the same boards. I hadgood training so I had no problems.”

Weintraub said he strives to establish a lasting relationship with each ofhis patients. Not only does he treat the injury, he aims to reintegrate thepatient back to normalcy through rehabilitation.

“You don’t have to lose yourself to an injury, you can still have fun,” hetells his patients.

Weintraub estimates that he treats about 300 patients and dozens ofprofessional athletes per year. Roughly 50 percent of the traumatic injuriesWeintraub handles are from car accidents, 20 percent from falls, 10 to15 percent are sports related, and the rest are due to violent assaults.

In a League of his OwnBy Michael North

Honors

Dr. Alan Weintraub skis down a mountain at Steamboat, in Colorado.

12 AUC CONNECTIONS

Sports-related injuries maymake up a small percentage ofWeintraub’s patients, but theyoften receive the majority ofthe national attention. Footballhas the highest concussion ratein professional sports. He likenseach collision in football to acar crash.

“Hockey is definitely a contactsport, but football is a headcontact sport,” he said.

While movies often portraycoaches pressuring teamphysicians to “clear” theirplayers regardless of theirmedical condition, Weintraubsaid he has never experiencedthat pressure. “The goal is toreturn players as quickly andsafely as possible.”

“I always act with the athlete’s best interest in mind.” Weintraub said.

Weintraub also treated some survivors of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.Weintraub, however, maintains that his practice is not built around individual achievements.He considers his role at Craig Hospital to be the most important aspect of his professionalcareer, striving each day to help the hospital to be the premier traumatic brain center in theUnited States. The hospital, located in Englewood, has consistently been ranked in the topten rehabilitation hospitals in the United States by U.S. News and WorldReport since it began ranking hospitals in 1990.

“I enjoy teaching and training other people, serving otherpeople, helping families horribly struck by injury,”Weintraub said. “I want to continue the tradition ofCraig Hospital and leave that as my legacy.” q

Michael North is a writer with the University of MiamiNews Service.

VITAL SIGNS:Name: Alan Weintraub, M.D.

Specialty: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Title: Medical director of the Brain Injury Programat Craig Hospital-Rocky Mountain Regional Brainand Spinal Cord Injury System, Englewood, Colorado

Internship and residency: University ofColorado Health Sciences Center, 1982-1985

Fellowship: Craig Hospital and affiliates,neurotrauma rehabilitation, brain and spinalcord injury medicine

Board Certification: Fellow of the Americanboard of physical medicine and rehabilitation

Licensed: Colorado, Florida and Hawaii

Family: Two children, Brianna, 19, at ColoradoState University; and Kyle, 18, high school senior

Favorite sports: Always prefer to play thanwatch hockey, skiing in winter and hiking, surfingand boating in summer

Hobbies: playing hockey, exercise of all kinds,reading, traveling and spending time with my kids

Favorite AUC memory: So many! From TheCafé Le Capitan and volcano hikes to the “LittleChickens” softball team

Dr. Weintraub explains a traumatic brain injury to patient Colin Butler,who sustained it during a skiing accident. Butler, who started with acatastrophic injury and prolongued coma, is now, a year later, workingon returning to college.

Dr. Weintraub treated famous athletes duringhis career at Craig Hospital.

AUC CONNECTIONS 13

When he was 14 years old, Alhasan Ceesay, M.D.(’92), crossed paths in his village of Njawara,

the Gambia, with a family in urgent need of medicalcare. A man had been leading his pregnant wife andyoung son for miles on the back of a donkey, desperatelysearching for help for his sick family. Within a mile ofreaching a distant hospital, the woman and her son,who was no more than three, died from illnesses thatcould have been prevented with proper health care.

That encounter changed Ceesay’s life. “Having learnedthe sad news of the demise of the family, I made a tearfulcovenant with God that whatever path He chose for me,let that include minimizing the tragic suffering thatunfolded before me by the death of this villager and

her child,” he said. From that moment, Ceesay decided to become a doctorand, one day, open a medical center where members of his village couldreceive free health care.

Ceesay believed a Western education was the key to achieving his goals.Although his father, a farmer, objected to the idea, Ceesay persisted andin 1967 arrived at Alpena Community College (ACC), in Alpena, Mich., tobegin his long quest for an education. After receiving his associate degreefrom ACC, one of his professors encouraged him to apply to Olivet College,in South Central Michigan. He received a full-tuition scholarship from theBesser Foundation of Alpena and enrolled at the college in 1969.

Although Ceesay earned his bachelor’s degree from Olivet in 1971,his ultimate goal of becoming a doctor would remain out of reach formany years. Without proper sponsorship or residency status in the United

States, he was denied admission to medical school. Ceesay’sfriends encouraged him take graduate classes, in hopes that amaster’s degree would make it easier for him to gain entry intomedical school. In 1973, he earned his master’s degree inbiological sciences from Michigan Technological University.“Believe it or not, on graduation day sadness set in,” Ceesaysaid of completing his graduate studies. “All these accidentaldegrees were not in my plan and the prospect of getting intomedical school was getting distant.”

Ceesay again tried to apply to medical school, but the samesponsorship and residency problems returned and he was deniedadmission. Frustrated but determined, he bided his time by takingpostgraduate courses at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

At last, in 1979, his prayers seemed to have beenanswered when he was accepted into the Universityof Liberia Medical School in Monrovia. Ceesay went

back to Africa to begin his classes, butbecause of political unrest in the Gambia,he had to flee back to the United States.Though his situation often seemed hopeless,Ceesay never gave up on his quest tobecome a doctor. He continued studyingat Michigan State University and WayneState University before finally beingaccepted at the American University ofthe Caribbean. In 1992, after 25 yearsof struggle, he was awarded his Doctorof Medicine degree. The next year, hereturned to the Gambia, completed hisinternship at the Royal Victoria Hospitalin Banjul and embarked on a “one-mancrusade of providing medical aid to thevillagers free of charge.”

One Man’s CrusadeBy Molly Goaley

14 AUC CONNECTIONS

Profiles

Ceesay began his crusade byestablishing the MandingMedical Centre in Njawara.“There is a sheer shortage ofmedical facilities in the region,which accounts for 25 percentof Gambian children’s deathsbefore the age of five due tomalnutrition, pneumonia,diarrhea, malaria and worminfestation,” he said. “Theobjective is to serve the ruralsector of the Gambia bymaking proper medicalservice available to the villager.”Ceesay said the center serves no fewer than 500 patientsand up to 1,500 in a weekend.

In addition to treating patients, Ceesay and his team ofvolunteer doctors offer educational presentations throughoutthe region. “We hold bimonthly field trips to teach villagersabout hygiene, preventative medicine and sexually transmitteddiseases, such as AIDS,” he said. “By this exercise, the centerbelieves it will help reduce the number infected and the vectorresponsible for these diseases.”

Because Manding offers free treatment to the elderly,children and pregnant women, and charges only aportion of the average private practice fee to otherpatients, proper funding has not yet been secured to builda complete hospital. Though land for the building has beendonated, the center currently operates out of a small shed.But with 30,000 supportive villagers behind him, Ceesay isrelentless in drawing attention to their cause. “We set up charitiesin the United Kingdom and Alpena,” he said. In addition, hehas written two books, “The Legend Against All Odds” and“Medicine for the Villager,” which chronicle his educationaljourney and the establishment of Manding. Proceedsfrom the books, available at www.amazon.com, willgo toward constructing the facility.

Ceesay and his supporters hope to break ground on thefacility in the near future. “Every cent donated from everycountry will be used for the Manding Medical Centre,” he said,adding that the exchange rate from U.S. to Gambian currencyis very favorable. “Anything helps. A few pennies may soundlike a small amount, but that collects into a multitude of pennies.”For more information on the Manding Medical Center,visit http://beehive.thisisessex.co.uk/gambimed. q

Originally published in the Fall 2008 edition of “Shipherd’s Record.”Reprinted with permission.

Top left: Supporters visit Manding.

Bottom left: Dr. Ceesay holds a map of Africa. Inset: Dr. Ceesay’s book.

Top right: Dr. Ceesay as a student at Olivet College in the 1970s.

AUC CONNECTIONS 15

George Faile III, M.D. (‘83) shares three enduring qualities with hisfather — his name, his medical profession and his commitment to

bring health care to Africa.

The days are long, and the patient list even longer, but Faile says his21-year stint in Ghana, West Africa, has given him a chance to give —and to receive.

“The lack of doctors and long hours is the biggest challenge,” said Faile,58. “It’s difficult having to work so hard for so long,” he said. “You havehalf-dead children brought to you; being able to help them and seeingthem walk away from it, that’s very rewarding.”

It is a reward he first experienced early in life.

Born in Atlanta, Faile was only three years of age when the family movedto Africa, where his father, George Faile II, was a medical missionary inNigeria and Ghana in the 1950s. The elder Faile helped establish theBaptist Medical Center, a branch of the International Mission Board of theSouthern Baptist Convention.

“Growing up in Africa was certainly very different from the States,” saidFaile, who was one of the first seven children to be baptized at the medicalcenter’s church. “It was remote, primitive. I spent a lot of time with mydad, seeing him work. I knew at a young age I wanted to take part ininternational medical missions,” he said.

Before becoming a doctor, Faile attended Furman University in Greenville,S.C., where he majored in mathematics. For two years, he taught highschool math in Korea to children of American missionaries. He then

attended Emory University in Atlanta, where he received a master ofmedical science degree in anesthesia and life support systems technologyin 1976.

Faile became a physician’s assistant and took his first step in his pursuit towork in medicine internationally. Stationed at a mission hospital in NorthYemen, he met his wife, Elisabeth, a nurse midwife. While in North Yemen,Faile applied to and was accepted into the American University of theCaribbean School of Medicine, then located on the island of Montserrat.

“I enjoyed most of my time at AUC,” said Faile, who graduated in 1983.“At that time, it was a new school. There were rumors that students wouldn’tbe able to practice in the States. There was a lot of uncertainty.”

Faile said he did not encounter any of the rumored problems. After,successfully completing his family medicine residency in Rome, Georgia,he then went to work abroad.

“My wife and I knew we wanted to do international medical missions,”he said, adding that they looked into several places before settling onGhana, where they had previously volunteered. The couple has lived inthe African nation since 1987.

A typical day for Faile at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu is alengthy one, usually around 12 hours long. He begins by walking to thehospital from his home, which is on the compound grounds.

Nalerigu is located in Ghana’s northern region, an area Faile describes asstill primitive, noting its development includes the recent addition of electricity.

16 AUC CONNECTIONS

The Good DoctorFor one AUC alumnus and his wife, the indefatigable questto heal the less fortunate became a life-changing experience

By Rebecca Rodriguez

Starting at 7 a.m., Faile makes his rounds, checkingthe facility’s 123 beds, all usually full. Then it is off tothe outpatient clinic where he and the other medicaldoctor on staff, Earl Hewitt, M.D., from Mississippi,typically see between 80 and 100 patients eachday. Malaria and malnutrition are the most prevalentailments treated by the physicians.

“The hospital has a reputation,” Faile said. “Peoplecome from all around seeking treatment. It’s a needyarea. There are government-run health posts innearby villages and another hospital 35 miles away,but they’re not very well equipped,” he added.

In the United States, there is one doctor for every 400 people, accordingto the World Health Organization’s most recent indicators. Ghana hasone for every 6,600 and they are usually located in more urban areas ofthe country.

Although English is the official language of Ghana, Faile’s patients mayspeak any one of the 20 different language groups native to the surroundingareas. Faile speaks the local language, Mampruli. Nevertheless, seeinganywhere from 60,000 to 70,000 outpatients and admitting 7,000 to8,000 a year, having an interpreter on hand is necessary.

“I don’t know how they do it, Dr. Faile and Dr. Hewitt. I could only see about25 to 30 [patients], between the interpreter and exams and diagnosing,”said Heidi Haun, M.D., a general surgery resident who worked with Failewhen she was a medical student in the fall of 2007.

“To see how diligently they work, especially Dr. Faile. He is a role modelto me,” said Haun, 29, who was accompanied by her husband, William,a photojournalist, and their then 2-month-old son, Trey. Three days a weekshe worked in the clinic with an interpreter, the other days she assistedwith surgeries.

The only person on staff able to perform general surgery, Faile typicallyworks seven days a week, reserving two of those days for surgery. Heperforms approximately 1,200 major surgeries a year. Faile and Hewittalternate being on call at night.

But with so many patients, it is impossible to save them all.

“I remember my first day on call while I was there,” Haun said. “Five patientsdied. I mean, there’s nothing I could have done differently, but even then,it’s easy to get discouraged under those circumstances,” she said. “Duringmy time there, Dr. Faile showed me his optimism. He really sees the valuein helping those that he can.”

The hospital currently employs approximately 240 people, including medicalpersonnel, administration and maintenance. The staff is mostly Ghanaian,

except for Faile, Hewitt, and the pharmacist, who are all Americans. TheGhanaian government pays for 50 to 60 percent of the hospital’s budget,including the nurses’ salaries.

“The hospital probably won’t expand much. Its future is uncertain. TheInternational Mission Board in the United States, which has supplied the land,buildings, doctors’ salaries and monetary support, is trying to get out oftheir participation with the BMC. There are talks of turning the hospital overto the Ghanaian Baptist Convention,” said Faile, who is a Southern Baptist.

Though family business brought him to Georgia last November, vacationsfor Faile are few.

Faile and Elisabeth, who have been married for 28 years, plan on retiringat the end of this year and returning to their home in Georgia, where theywill be closer to their sons, David, 28, Erik, 27, and Peter, 26, who all movedback to the United States when it was their time for college.

Faile has maintained his Georgia medical license and plans on practicingpart time upon his return.

“Being away from them has been the hardest part, but I don’t consider it asacrifice. We’ve really enjoyed what we’ve been doing,” Elisabeth Faile said.

“You know, George is a very good doctor, a great husband and has beena good father to our sons,” she added. “He is a man of few words, buthe is not as serious as people may think he is. He has a good sense ofhumor. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, you know it’s good.”

Like his father, Faile has inspired someone to take up where he left off.Haun plans on working at the center once she is done with her residencyat the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

In complimenting Faile, Haun said she recognizes how the hard work canbe accomplished: “His faith plays a big part,” she said.

The George Faile Foundation is a charitable organization and donationsare tax deductible. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 542, CaveSpring, GA, 30124. The Web site is www.failefoundation.org. q

Rebecca Rodriguez is a writer with the University of Miami News Service.

Left (bottom): Dr. Faile tends to ayoung patient. Photo by Stan Leary.

Left (top): Dr. Faile and wife Elisabeth.Photo by Earl Hewitt.

Right: Over sixty thousand patientsare seen in the clinic every year.

Dr. Vito Rocco (’01)

Dr. John Millichap (’04)

Dr. Andy Shen (’05)

Dr. Robert “Bo” Manausa (’07)

Dr. Cesar “Bud” Labitan Jr. (’87)

Abdo Sattout, M.D. (’97) was published twice in 2008. “Femoral artery angiosarcoma presenting with distal embolization:

report of a case,” appeared in Surgery Today and a best evidence topic report, “The role of topical analgesia in acute otitis

media,” was published in Emergency Medicine. Sattout currently lives in Liverpool, England, where he is training in emergency

medicine. Sattout and his wife, Anna, have two daughters, Eva and Yasmine.

Vito Rocco, M.D. (’01), an emergency physician, will publish “A case of mistaken identity: BZP and TFMPP masquerading

as ecstasy,” in an upcoming edition of Clinical Forensic and Toxicology News. In October 2008, he published the article

“Nerve block, mental,” on emedicine.com. Rocco is currently working on a study comparing the use of ED limited bedside

ultrasound to CT scan on the grading of hydronephrosis in the setting of flank pain. He is primarily studying if management

decisions are altered based on CT results versus US and urinalysis alone. Rocco is also an investigator in a clinical trial using

IM Peramivir to shorten the duration of influenza type-A symptomology. Rocco was awarded the 2007-2008 Most Distinguished

Faculty in Emergency Medicine Award at William Beaumont Hospital, in Michigan.

Penny L. Heinrich, M.D. (’03), currently a hematology/oncology fellow at Louisiana State University, published in the

paper “Is there a way to do less harm?” in volume 56 of the Journal of Investigative Medicine 2008. Heinrich was published

twice in 2007: “A 48-year old man with a non-healing wound,” and “A paraplegic man with altered mental status and fever,”

both in the Journal of the Louisiana Medical Society.

John Millichap, M.D. (’04) was published twice in 2008: in Pediatric Neurology with “Methods of investigation and

management of infections causing febrile seizures,” and in the Journal of Infectious Diseases with “Empiric use of antibiotics

for treatment of respiratory infection and febrile seizures.” In 2008, Millichap was selected to serve on the resident and

fellow section editorial committee of Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Duties include

peer-review of manuscripts submitted for publication.

Andy Shen, M.D. (’05) published “What’s your diagnosis? Eruptive xanthoma,” in the September 2008 edition of

Consultant for Pediatricians. Shen is completing his third year of residency in family medicine at Methodist Hospital in Houston,

Texas. He will start a fellowship in sports medicine at the same institution.

Robert “Bo” Manausa, M.D. (’07) published “Review of Telavancin in the treatment of complicated skin and skin

structure infections,” in volume four of Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. In March 2008, he completed a study on

the treatment of acute hypertension at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for Outcomes Research, where he was a

research associate. In April 2008, Manausa submitted a poster abstract “Impact of hurricane Katrina on the medical residency

training in New Orleans,” to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) that was accepted and presented at the

ACEP Scientific Assembly Poster Presentation in Chicago. Manausa completed four additional studies last year. He is currently

in his PGY-1 year of training in emergency medicine at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge.

Cesar “Bud” Labitan Jr., M.D. (’87), recently published “The Four Filters Invention of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.”

The book examines each of the basic steps Buffet and Munger perform in “framing and making” an investment decision. It

provides the reader — both the beginner and the seasoned investor — with methods on how to optimize their investment

decision-making. Labitan, who also has an MBA, lives in Indiana. The book can be purchased at www.amazon.com. q

18 AUC CONNECTIONS

Publications

Dr. Paul H. Hartel (’00)

Dr. Nisha Bunke (’04)

Dr. Satesh Raju (’01)

Paul H. Hartel, M.D. (’00) was named “Physician of the Quarter” at Davis Health System, in West Virginia, in October2008. Hartel, a pathologist in Elkins, W.V., was nominated — from a pool of 70 physicians — by employees of the hospitalsystem for his commitment to the standards of behavior and chosen by the standards, rewards and recognition team toreceive the award.

Satesh Raju, M.D. (’01) recently won the award for best research abstract in the renal category at the 2009 Society ofCritical Care Medicine Conference in Nashville, Tenn., with “Renal saturations (RS02) predict renal function in acute pediatricseptic disease.” The study looked at renal perfusion in pediatric septic shock states using Near Infrared Spectroscopy, andcorrelated it with renal failure outcomes from gold standard methods. The study aims to push the technology to be used inpediatrics ICUs across the country to help manage regional perfusion in shock states.

Nisha Bunke, M.D. (’04) was a co-recipient, along with John Bergan, M.D., (professor at University of California at SanDiego’s surgery department) of the 2008 JOBST Research Award for the Advancement of Phlebology for their work titled,“Inflammatory biomarkers of chronic venous insufficiency.” Presently, there are no methods for objective monitoring of venousdisease progression or the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions. The purpose of the study was to identify biomarkersin patients with chronic venous disease that will correlate to their clinical classification. Bunke is the first official phlebologyfellow in the United States.

Steven Jackson, M.D. (’06) was awarded an independent research grant by the Orthopedic Research Review Committee,ORRC, at the Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The grant will enable Jackson to study the use of micro-CT inunderstanding bone architecture and bone regeneration in a rabbit posterior transverse process spine fusion model. Jacksonlives in Rochester, Minn.

Only about 14 to 18 out of 800 abstracts nationally are chosen to win the award. The pool includes medicine, surgery,pediatrics and anesthesiology abstracts. Raju is currently working on a manuscript, which should be sent for publication in anational peer-reviewed journal later this year.

Raju is completing his pediatric critical care medicine fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, affiliated with Ohio StateUniversity College of Medicine, and will take a clinical attending position at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in West PalmBeach, Fla., after his fellowship completion. q

Grants & Awards

Former fifth-semester students whohad the privilege of being taught

by Douglas G. Model, MBBS,FRCP, surely remember the “stories”peppered throughout the course ofhis lectures. Model, former AUCdean of clinical sciences for Europe,recently published the book “Doctor,Doctor,” a collection of anecdotes ofhis time in hospitals and with patients— some sad, some humorous, andsome so funny that readers will grip their sides in laughter. AUC ismentioned in the introduction. Model, an ex-mariner and an internistspecializing in respiratory disease, has been associated with AUCsince the 80s. He was appointed associate dean of clinical studies in1999 and dean of clinical sciences for Europe in 2002. He is currentlyassociate clinical dean for England. Model’s book can be ordered throughwww.supamasu.com. Once on the Web site, click “more” at the bottom ofthe page and then click on “The Gloucesters” to locate the book. q

Spotlight

AUC CONNECTIONS 19

For many years, it has seemed that the odds have been stacked againstCanadian IMGs seeking to become physicians in their native land.

However, with patience, persistence, ingenuity, and an incredible amountof hard work, Canadian AUC grads have succeeded in not just becomingdoctors, but also practicing physicians in their home country.

Even though the number of applicants to Canadian schools has increasedconcurrently with the number of vacancies in medical schools, there arestill not enough spaces to accommodate the demand. There are only 17medical schools in Canada and provincial governments have reducedmedical school enrollments and post-graduate training programs since 1993.

Although there are few residency slots to go around, there is some light atthe end of the proverbial tunnel. Prior to 2002, restrictions on licensing forIMGs made it hard for them to get a Canadian residency much less a fulltime position, whether or not they were Canadian nationals. The job markethowever, is starting to widen. In recent years, an aging medical populationand a shrinking pool of available physicians have caused several provincialgovernments to reconsider the stringent policies surrounding medicallicensure and in easing in the restrictions placed on foreign-trained medicalprofessionals. The shortage of doctors is especially felt in some regions ofCanada, so provinces such as Ontario and New Brunswick have startedtaking steps to make it easier for IMGs to practice there, and are consideredthe most IMG-friendly in the nation.

“I think Canada put itself in a position where they underestimated thenumber of physicians that they were going to need in the future with theirgrowing and aging population,” said Elise McCormack, M.D. (‘05), “Ithink that the trend will be to try to attract physicians that have left Canadaback to practice. It is definitely a good time to be a Canadian at AUC.”

The National Physician Survey in 2008 said that more than 4,000 doctorsare expected to retire or otherwise stop practicing by 2010. According tothe Fraser Institute, an independent international research and educationalorganization with offices in Canada and the United States, the numberof doctors per capita in Canada will decline by 2015 without moreforeign-trained doctors. The easing of restrictions coupled with the medicalshortages are encouraging for Canadian IMGs who wish to return to theirhomeland — and changes are beginning to be felt. According to theCanadian Resident Matching Service, in last year’s match, of the 2,478residents in Canada, 353 graduated from medical schools outside Canada.The figure is record breaking.

For some Canadian AUC graduates, the goal has always been to returnhome and practice, and they have followed through. Others have cometo call the United States their new home. And yet, others see a temporaryresidency in the United States as a stepping stone to an eventual careerback in Canada. The Canadian graduates profiled in the following pagesshow that no matter where the path took them, beginning the journey at AUCprepared them for the challenges and successes of where they are today. q

ThinkingOutsidethe Box

By Robin Julia Thieme

After graduating from AUC in 1994, Ardavan Mahim’s longing wasnot for the beaches of Montserrat but for a return to his adopted

home of Canada.

Mahim and his family immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1984. Medicinewas a natural extension of the family business: his mother is a pharmacist,his aunt, a dentist and his cousin is a physiotherapist.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Torontoin zoology with a specialization in biology, he decided to apply to medical

20 AUC CONNECTIONS Dr. Ardavan Mahim and his fiancée, Leslie Moxam, on a boat in New Brunswick.Mahim is a cardiologist in Peterborough, Ontario.

Oh,Canada!Introduction by Sophia Pino

school. Like many of his contemporaries, he was waitlisted for a numberof Canadian schools.

Instead of waiting, Mahim began to think outside the box.

“I was too impatient, so I looked outside the country for alternatives,”said Mahim.

Upon researching foreign schools, he was primarily attracted to AUC becauseof its accelerated program and World Health Organization recognition.

“As long as you keep constant on your purpose, your goal will be reached,”he said.

Mahim looks back on his time at AUC fondly. “The best part was that it wasa small school where you made good long-term friends,” he said. “Not tomention, who would not want to spend their days on a Montserrat beach?”

Still, after completing his residency in internal medicine at ProvidenceHospital, in Michigan, Mahim wanted to go home to Canada. Yet, he gotlicensed in Michigan and Maine and became a member of the AmericanBoard of Internal Medicine. At the time, however, he was unaware of thelack of reciprocity in licensing between the United States and Canada.

Upon returning to Canada, Mahim soon realized barriers had beenset up. “Initially, I did not know it would be difficult to get licensed inCanada,” he said.

Mahim moved to New Brunswick, as it was the only province that wouldgrant a Canadian license if you had one from the United States. After afew years, Mahim decided to move to Ontario, but because medicalpractice is regulated by each province/territory, Mahim found it necessaryto enroll at the London Health Sciences Center, in London, Ontario, wherehe completed a fellowship in cardiology in 2004. He then enrolled in theCanadian Medical Registrar as a Licentiate of the Medical Council ofCanada and received a Certificate of Registration.

His hard work paid off. Currently workingas a cardiologist in Peterborough, Ontario,Mahim is a prolific researcher and afrequent guest lecturer for CME programs.Mahim says he is happy to have beenable to return and practice medicine inhis homeland.

“Canada’s medical system is equalitybased,” he said. “Everyone receives thenecessary treatment, regardless of theirmeans [or] income. As a physician, I amnever ethically challenged by having tochoose which test or treatment to withholdbecause of financial concerns of patients.It’s just a nicer place to practice.”

As for the licensing process, Mahim has goodnews for current and future AUC graduates.

“It is now relatively easy for our classmatesto get licensure in most Canadian provinces,”he said.

According to Mahim, under provincial law, all doctors of Ontario must bemembers of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in order topractice medicine. The College, he said, recently passed guidelines thatopen up the process that allows doctors to become registered.

“We have been eliminating barriers since 2002, said Kathryn Clarke,senior communications coordinator for the College of Physicians andSurgeons of Ontario.

“The college considered the issue of a number of immigration-relatedissues. We made a commitment at that time to reduce barriers forqualified candidates without lowering our high standards of registration,”said Clarke.

Reducing barriers involves granting exemptions based on a period ofsupervision for eligible physicians as they move toward independentpractice, as well as the elimination of certain qualifying exams forphysicians trained outside the United States.

Clarke said the College of Physicians has had a better chance to evaluatethe exams that are given outside of Canada and found four U.S. examsto be similar in substance and content with Ontario’s.

According to Clarke progress has been made. Between 2002 and 2007,1,061 physicians were granted a license to practice in Ontario.

“Most would not have been granted without the new provisions,” Clarke said.

It represents quite a significant gain in access to licensure for thosecandidates. While the provisions may be broader in Ontario, otherCanadian provinces have been working in this area too,” Clarke said.

With or without the newly implemented changes in the regulation, Mahimstands by his commitment to working in Canada.

“I would always do it again, absolutely,” Mahim said of completingthe grueling process. “I have been blessed. I can work on both sidesof the border.”

“It is satisfying for him to work ina country that offers accessible,barrier-free health care topatients,” said his fiancée,Leslie Moxam, a registerednurse who has worked withMahim on several occasions.“He is highly respected amongthe medical community.He strives to keep abreast ofcurrent research, and he enjoys conductingpresentations for his colleagues. He also enjoys educating and trainingmedical students and residents.”

But most important, he is admired by his patients and is content with hiswork, Moxam said.

”He does not believe in a rushed consult and always takes time to answerquestions or to describe things in lay terms so that his patients can understand.He has never returned home from a day at work with a slouch or a sigh.” q

Robin Julia Thieme is a writer with the University of Miami News Service.

AUC CONNECTIONS 21

From Club Med to med school, Antonella Morra, M.D.’s (’96) journeyto fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a physician was anything but

a tropical paradise.

“I wasn’t getting into medical school in Canada. I tried for a few years,”said Morra, who earned her undergraduate degree in human biologyand sociology from the University of Toronto. Her options were slim, shesaid. “Actually almost impossible.”

Three years after finishing college, Morra, a Canadian citizen, moved tothe Caribbean island of St. Lucia in 1991 and began bartending at ClubMed. After three months of working at the resort, Morra decided to applyto AUC. In September of 1992, she began her first semester.

Morra was aware that it would be difficult to practice in Canada because,at the time, the country had strict procedures when it came to foreigngraduates. Although due to the shortage of physicians in Canada, rulesare loosening up in certain Canadian provinces, international medicalgraduates must still complete a rigorous process set forth by each specificprovince to earn their license, including examinations and more post-graduateclinical experience in Canada.

The qualifying process often deters aspiring Canadian physicians fromearning their medical education at international schools. At AUC, forexample, Canadians comprised 13 percent of the incoming May 2009class. During Morra’s time at AUC she recalls that less than 10 otherCanadians were enrolled in her program.

Even though it seemed as if the odds were against her, Morra said sheworked hard and enjoyed her stay at AUC. “It was a great time. Beingon the island was also very conducive to my studying,” she said.

And while completing her core and elective rotations, Morra also foundher medical calling — pediatrics.

Upon graduation, Morra had not only a medical degree, but a freshperspective, motivation and the determination to return to Canada to practice.

She was met with the challenge of the lack of residencies available toforeign graduates in Canada. Most of the time, foreign medical graduatesmust compete with Canadian medical school graduates for residencypositions and are considered only after the Canadian-trained graduateshave been placed. In certain provinces, namely Alberta and Ontario, therestrictions are slightly looser. In 2003, only 10 percent of the internationalgraduates who applied were placed into a Canadian residency.

Undeterred, Morra decided to complete her residency training in the UnitedStates and then attempt to return to her homeland. Luck, however, was notalways on Morra’s side. After graduating from AUC, she had to sit out forone year because of difficulties obtaining a J-1 visa to complete her residencyin the United States.

“That was my lowest point, I think. I had a degree, but I couldn’t do anythingwith it,” she said. A J-1 visa is a temporary permit that allows a medicalresident to practice in another country, but requires an individual to returnto his or her home country upon completion, unless they acquire a waiver.

In spite of her troubles with the visa, by the summer of 1997 Morra hadmanaged to secure a residency position at The Children’s Hospital atSinai, in Baltimore.

After completing her U.S. medical residency, Morra returned to Canadaand successfully wrote all of the Canadian certification exams.

“I wanted to be a doctor more than anything,” said Morra, now a practicingpediatrician in Mississauga, Ontario. “I went through all the motions to getthere and I was proactive.”

Under the Canadian rules at that time, in order to go back to Canada formedical practice, Morra had to complete another residency — this time inCanada. “The issue is socialized health care,” Morra suggested. “The moredoctors they have, the more doctors the government has to pay for. Theytend to keep the cost down by keeping the number of doctors down.”

However, according to the College of Family Physicians of Canada, 41.2million people have trouble finding a family physician each year. Thecountry is lacking at least 3,000 doctors, and if changes are not madethen that shortfall could grow to 6,000 by 2011.

In an attempt to address the shortage, the Ontario Ministry of Health andLong-term Care designed and funded a program to help recruit physicianswho have completed post-graduate residency training and still require twoadditional years of training to meet the certification requirements of theRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The repatriation program places physicians in their specialty in under-serviced areas. Morra practiced in The Hospital for Sick Children in Torontofrom December 2000 to August 2002.

“Ontario and Alberta are making extra efforts to recruit foreign medicalgraduates,” said David Paton, M.D., a professor and chair of pharmacologyat AUC. Morra, too, acknowledges the efforts of her province to meet theneeds of the people.

In 2008, the number of independent practice certificates issued to internationalmedical graduates in Canada was 275, the highest in more than 20 years.It was also the seventh straight year of increased issuance of these certificates.

Despite the highs and lows, Morra said she would do it all over again. Heradvice to fellow Canadian medical graduates thinking about AUC is to beproactive in pursuing Canadian certification, to be as flexible as possible,and to ask a lot of questions.

“Do your homework. Know what you need to have and get it,” she said. q

Jaclyn Messina is a writer with the University of Miami News Service.

22 AUC CONNECTIONS

Paving theWayBy Jaclyn Messina

AUC CONNECTIONS 23

Dr. Antonella Morra strikes a pose, with Toronto in the background.Morra completed residencies in both the United States and Canada.She is now a practicing pediatrician in Mississauga, Canada.Photo by Ara Howrani.

Rajbir Klair, M.D. (’09) — who this year matched into family medicineat the University of Toronto — got his first introduction to the medical

profession as a child growing up in the small town of Houston, in NorthernBritish Columbia.

His father, who immigrated to Canada from India in 1982, worked forthe ambulance service next to the only medical clinic in town and oftendemonstrated his skills to Klair and his younger sister.

“It was always exciting to see him in his ambulance uniform and imaginewhat types of emergencies he would be facing every day,” Klair said. “Iwas proud of him, knowing that he was helping others, and it was at thistime that I grew to realize that I would one day work in a similar profession.”

It was, however, another experience with a close family member that reallyignited in him a desire to become a primary care physician.

Klair’s grandfather, who lived with the family, suffered a stroke that affectedhis mobility. Klair was taught to check his grandfather’s blood pressure, atask he undertook frequently. A second stroke rendered his grandfatherunable to walk independently and speak clearly. The family decided tocare for him at home, and was profoundly impacted by the experience.

“We received assistance from home-care nurses only occasionally,” Klairrecalled. “I learned about many aspects of patient care at this time: how totransfer my grandfather from one place to another; bedsores; loss ofindependence; and, the importance of having a regular family doctor.”

“The support and knowledge of the family doctor who came to the houseto see my grandfather was invaluable. The doctor was a compassionateman, and although he spoke a different language than my grandfather healways made sure to connect with him. My grandfather died peacefully athome surrounded by his family.”

At 18, Klair became a first aid attendant at Fraser Downs Raceway, wherehe treated minor wounds and stabilized patients before the arrival of theambulance. One day, he performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation uponan unconscious patient who later made a full recovery at the hospital.

“At the beginning of the next racing season he returned to thank me forhelping to save his life,” said Klair. “That was a significant moment in mylife because it gave me the confidence to pursue a career in medicine.”

It wasn’t until after attending college, however, that Klair decided to fullycommit to medicine. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychologywith a minor in economics, he went to work full time for two years.

“I was always leaning towards medicine but had not made that commitmentat the time I was getting my degree,” Klair explained.

When he was finally ready to apply to Canadian medical schools, herealized the endeavor was not so easy. He applied to schools, but they

required him to go back and pick up a full time course load to see if hecould handle the rigors of medical school.

“I didn’t feel it was necessary,” Klair said. “So I applied to AUC and gotright in.”

Medical school at AUC was not without its share of challenges — “tons,”according to Klair — but he still managed to build great memories, includinghanging out on the beach,playing volleyball inMullet Bay and goingout to Cliffhanger Bar.

Concerned thatgetting back toCanada forresidency wouldbe difficult, Klairconcentrated onmaking highgrades andgetting ready to matchin the United Stateswhile at AUC.

“I really didn’t knowtoo much about theCanadian match,” saidKlair. “And I was so busystudying and trying topass classes, and wasinitially planning to applyonly to the U.S. [match],because I didn’t reallythink there would be muchmore opportunity to applyto the Canadian match.”

In the end, Klair appliedto both matches, tookboth sets of exams, theAmerican USMLEs andthe Canadian equivalents,and went on interviewsin the United Statesand Canada. Matchedat the University ofToronto, and ready toembark on his two-yearresidency program,

Breaking BarriersBy Paula Distefano

24 AUC CONNECTIONS

AUC CONNECTIONS 25

Klair looks back at the process, which, though extensive and not withoutits share of challenges, paid off big time.

One of the concerns many Canadians have, however, of being singledout for coming from an offshore medical school, did not materialize.

“I felt I was treated well during my [residency] interviews,” Klair recalls. ”Theyreally don’t know much about the Caribbean schools except that they thinkthat was a smart move to live on a beach for two years while going to school.”

“When you interview in Canada, everyone comes on the same day,” hesaid. “Teams of two to three people will conduct the interview usually. Theyknow nothing about you and the interview only lasts about half an hour,”he explained.

“In the United States I had interviews last the whole day more or less witha variety of people and they knew every detail on my resume. This was

the total opposite. You have half an hour basically to convince them whyyou should be matched at their program and also they want someone whothey think will work well with them. If you can have a few laughs and berelaxed that helps a lot like any other interview.”

As far as after residency, Klair is waiting out to see how things go and feelbefore he decides, but he is considering a fellowship in sports medicine.He has some words of advice for Canadians considering the AUC route.

“I would say, definitely try to score well on your examinations and planahead, as there may be extra tests that you have to take to match inCanada. One of the things that did help was doing rotations in Englandbecause they recognize the English more than the American medical system.I also did a lot of volunteer work and in medicine they really look into that,working in the community, volunteer work, research, those kinds of thingsreally set you apart.” q

Dr. Rajbir Klair sits on a log, as a Canadian beaver approaches. Klair successfully matched into a two-year residency program atthe University of Toronto. Klair attributes his clinical rotations in England as better preparing him for the Canadian medical system.Photo by Ara Howrani.

The Road Less TraveledBy Paula Distefano

As a medical school applicant, Denise Man, M.D. (’07), consideredseveral North American schools in which to start her education.

While she was not sure where she was going to go, she was sure aboutwhat she wanted to do — become a physician.

“At first I was not certain I was going to be able to practice in Canada,”said Man, a Vancouver native. “But I was okay with that. Because I wouldbe practicing medicine, it wouldn’t matter so much where.”

So matching into her first choice program — family medicine at theUniversity of Manitoba, where she is currently chief resident — was justicing on the cake.

Man grew up in a family filled with doctors, but said she really only beganto consider medical school as a career option during college. However,when she graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelorof Science degree in integrated sciences, life sciences and computer sciencesin 2000, she found that enrolling in medical school was not as simple anendeavor as she had bargained for.

The competition for admission into Canadian medical schools is just asintense as it is for U.S. medical schools. Perhaps even more so becausethere are far fewer medical schools in Canada and the number of applicantsis significantly greater relative to the number of openings. Man appliedto schools both in the United States and Canada in order to increase her

26 AUC CONNECTIONS

Dr. Denise Man at a crossroad in Manitoba. Man is chief resident for the familymedicine program at the University of Manitoba. Photo by Ara Howrani.

AUC CONNECTIONS 27

chances. Undeterred when unable to secure a seat in either country andstill very determined to become a physician, she did some research andwas led to AUC.

“A friend of mine had gone to another Caribbean medical school and hereally enjoyed the experience,” she remembers. “He was a couple of

semesters ahead of me and it seemed like agood option.”

It turned out to be a great option for Man.

After graduation from AUC in 2007, Manmade sure to cover all her bases by applyingto both the American and the Canadianmatches. If she was not able to get a matchin Canada, she explained, her “plan B” wasto practice in the United States for a fewyears and then try to get back to her country.

“I pretty much applied across the board,”Man said.

The process was no walk in the park.

To boost her chances of landing a Canadianresidency, Man arranged for an electiveorthopedic surgery rotation at the Universityof Manitoba during her clinical training. Shediligently secured two sets of letters ofrecommendation and went on severalinterviews. She wrote both the USMLE andits Canadian equivalents, the MCCEE andMCCQE. She also made sure to keep trackof different deadlines for two differentcountries and kept an eye on the ever-changingrules and regulations in the Canadianmedical system.

“You have to be extremely organized andon top of things,” Man explained.

Because of the way the Canadian medicalsystem works, Man said, graduates enteringthe match must go through the individualmedical schools — unlike the United States.

“If, for example, you go to the University ofWashington [for medical school] you can match at a different facility,”she said. “In Canada, all the residency positions are associated with theuniversities’ positions. So there’s only a limited number of medical schoolsand universities, and that’s how many positions there are in the country.”

And since Canadian universities give preference to their own graduates,foreign-trained doctors are picked last — and from a separate poolof candidates.

Her hard work and diligence paid off when Man was accepted to herresidency program in Canada. That is not to say that luck did not play asmall part in her success. The year she participated in the Canadian match

was the first time that regulations started to loosen up and she was able tomatch with the same pool of Canadian-trained doctors.

“There are schools, such as the one where I matched, where it’s an equivalentmatch, so you’re matching with the Canadian students,” said Man. “You alsoneed to take the USMLE equivalent, but a couple of colleges, I believe, aretrying to loosen those restrictions as well, so that the exams would be reciprocal.”

Man suggests that the easing up of restrictions on foreign-trained doctorshas to do with the shortage of primary care physicians throughout NorthAmerica, a situation impacting both Canada and the United States.

“I’m in northern Manitoba, and there’s certainly a shortage here, andthey’re trying to fill that in with locums [tenens] since it’s a remote location,”she explained. “One of the reasons the boards are loosening up their rulesis to address that shortage.”

Man has taken and passed all the licensure examinations, is scheduled forher family medicine boards and will be eligible to practice in the secondhalf of 2009. In Canada, family practice residencies are completed in twoyears, unlike in the United States where it takes three. Man said this isperhaps the main difference between the training she is receiving and thetraining she would have received if she had gone to the United States.

“A lot of my friends are still in the States and as far as I can tell [residencyprograms] are very similar,” said Man.

Man said she believes AUC equipped her well for the rigors of residencytraining in a different country.

“There was a bit of a learning curve, because it’s a different system,” shesaid. “But that’s probably something every [resident] has to struggle with.I feel that I’m pretty prepared for what I’m going to be doing.”

“I did spend some time in England [for clinical rotations] and in the States,so Canada is sort of like a mixture of both,” she said.

When she completes her residency, Man is planning to take a locum tenensjob through the Canadian College of Physicians or the Canadian MedicalAssociation. In the future, she said she would like to become a primarycare physician. She is also interested in working as a hospitalist and inemergency medicine. Sports medicine is another area of interest to Man.

Man remembers her time in St. Maarten fondly, especially for the friendshipsshe forged there which she said helped carry her through a very intenseand focused medical education. She currently mentors fellow Canadiansstudying at AUC through the AUC Alumni Contact Network. For CanadianAUC applicants and students, Man has the following advice:

“Do your research and be really organized. Be on top of the rules, because[they] change from year to year. Be flexible and open. Doing electiverotations and having medical experience in Canada is definitely a plusand makes a big difference. Community service is also a plus. It is importantto show [program directors] that you’re not just a student, but a well-roundedperson too. Establish yourself on the island a little bit. You’re not just thereto go to school, you basically live there for those two years, and it’s veryimportant to show that.” q

28 AUC CONNECTIONS

After graduating from the University of Guelph in 2000,Elise McCormack, M.D. (’05), found herself at a

crossroads. In spite of the honors and distinctions she receivedwith her degree in biomedical sciences from the Ontariouniversity, McCormack was unable to secure a seat in aCanadian medical school.

Staying in her native Canada meant one of two things: Geta master’s or Ph.D. degree and reapply to medical school, orgive up her dream of becoming a doctor altogether.

Unwilling to give up or even delay the dream, McCormackfound a third option.

“Right after I did not get accepted [in Canada], I decided toapply to Caribbean medical schools,” McCormack said of herchoice to attend AUC. “For Canadians it is frustrating at times,because you often meet the qualifications to get into Canadianmedical schools but there are simply not enough spaces.”

The competition to attend medical school is fierce in Canada,as the number of available spaces in schools is significantlysmaller than in the United States. In fact, for the year thatMcCormack entered medical school, fewer than 10 percentof the total number of applicants to Canadian medical

AUC CONNECTIONS 29

schools were admitted. In the United States, just under 50 percent ofapplicants were admitted that year.

The decision to go to a school so far away from her homeland came withits share of uncertainty.

“They don’t really give you a lot of guidance in undergraduate Canadianschools about going overseas [for medical school] — whether it’s Australia,Great Britain or the United States,” McCormack explained.

And even though she personally knew medical doctors who had graduatedfrom Caribbean schools and were in residency at the time, some peopleadvised her against it.

“People try to make you fearful that you won’t be able to go back toCanada to practice, but that is certainly not the case,” she said.

That was a lesson she said she learned very quickly in the AUC program.

“[With regard to] the quality of the education [at AUC] and subsequentresident training in the United States, there is no inferiority. Plus, all theCanadians that I went to school with at AUC are now working in thefields that they really wanted to, so there’s really not a limitation.”

It was certainly not a limitation for McCormack.

An excellent student in medical school — she graduated in the top of herclass — McCormack had no problem matching into her first choice program:internal medicine at Roger William Medical Center at Boston University inProvidence, R.I., where she is now chief resident.

And, as for the bias that is said to plague foreign medical graduates duringresidency, McCormack has yet to experience it.

“Once I was accepted into residency there was never a time when somebodyquestioned whether I was a foreign medical graduate at all,” she recalled.“And during fellowship interviews I surpassed my own expectations interms of getting a fellowship. I think people are curious about Caribbeanmedical students and the path of their training. If anything, I encountereda lot of positive feedback.”

Matching into residency in her native Canada was never really in McCormack’splans, as the rules governing medical licensing for foreign-trained graduatesin her home country were very stringent at the time.

“I graduated in 2005 and at that time the CaRMS (the Canadian ResidentMatching Service) basically only accepted Canadian graduates on the firstmatch, and if then there were any leftover positions you would be considered,”she explained. In her desired specialty, internal medicine, there were onlythree spots left, and McCormack decided to not go that route.

McCormack is now moving to Washington, D.C. to start a fellowship inhematology/oncology at the prestigious George Washington Medical

Center. Although she may one day still return to Canada to practice, sheis also considering staying in the United States permanently.

As a foreign national, staying in the country after completing her residencyis not without its share of procedures. Currently, she is in the country on aJ-1 visa, which will allow her to complete all years of residency andfellowship. After that, however, she must either return to Canada for twomore years of training, or request a waiver of the home residency requirement.For many, the best way to stay in the country is to practice in an underservedarea of the United States for three years after completing training. McCormackis taking the latter into consideration.

“At this point I am planning to stay in the United States. The only thing thatmay change is that recently the Ontario government actually lifted the previousrequirements for Canadian foreign graduates, in that they had to completeall the Canadian medical qualifying exams and the medicine board exams,”she explained. “That is something right now that has changed my outlooka little, but for the foreseeable future I will be staying in the United States.”

Another option for Canadians who wish to take McCormack’s path is theH-1b visa, which does not require the waiver position after training. Inorder to be considered for it, however, the physician must complete theUSMLE Step 3 before applying, so it makes it hard for some graduates tocomplete everything in time before residency.

McCormack says she is hoping for a waiver position and would like tocontinue in academic medicine, either at George Washington Universityor another institution.

After those three years, she will be eligible for permanent residency.

Wherever the young doctor decides to call home in the near future, whetherin the United States or Canada, there is one place that will always be closeto her heart: the island of St. Maarten.

“The beaches, and the friends that I met there — even though we havepursued different residencies in many different directions — the time thatwe had there was really the best part of my medical school experience,”McCormack said.

“The people that I met there are still the people that are closest to me.”

And she believes her fellow Canadians currently at or thinking of attendingAUC are doing it at the best possible time.

“I think Canada put itself in a position where they underestimated thenumber of physicians that they were going to need in the future with theirgrowing and aging population. And they are trying to bring back Canadianforeign medical graduates that had their training in the United States, andthat were educated in a system that’s essentially similar. I think that thetrend will be to try to attract physicians that have left Canada back topractice. It is definitely a good time to be a Canadian at AUC.” q

Dr. Elise McCormack stands by the water, as a flock of Canadian geese fly overhead. McCormack is chief resident in internalmedicine at Roger William Medical Center at Boston University in Providence, R.I. Photo by Ara Howrani.

Ahead of the CompetitionBy Paula Distefano

For many physicians, medicine is a calling rather than a profession.Leslie Ann Reid, M.D. (’07), says there was never a moment in her life

where she doubted that medicine was her calling. Her path to becominga physician, however, was decidedly different.

As a high school student in her native Ontario, Canada, Reid said sheworked hard to make good grades and get accepted into a good universityprogram. In Canada, medical school admissions are so fiercely competitivethat Reid says she applied to medical school while still a junior at McMasterUniversity, where she was earning a degree in biology. Upset whendenied admission to her first-choice school, Reid decided to pursue amaster’s degree instead.

“I was heartbroken, and my dad told me, ‘don’t worry about it, you’reonly in third-year, you can re-apply,” Reid explained. “But it really startledme, so basically I went on and did my fourth year and I decided to domy master’s because I was just not ready to get rejected [again].”

It was while working at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory in Jamaica —as part of her master’s program in aquatic ecology through McMaster University— that Reid decided where she was going to start her medical education.

“I fell in love with the Caribbean, and I never wanted to leave,” she said.“So I looked for a medical school specifically in the Caribbean. I didn’tapply to any universities in Canada and went directly to AUC.”

30 AUC CONNECTIONS

AUnique PathBy Paula Distefano

Dr. Leslie Reid points to her hometown of Sarnia on the map. Reid is a pediatricts resident at Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies.Photo by Ara Howrani.

Reid took a leap of faith and applied to AUC, hoping for the best.

And the rest is history.

Currently a pediatrics resident at her first-choice program at Michigan StateUniversity Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Reid says she not only

enjoyed her Caribbean medical education, but feelsprepared and confident enough in her abilities toreturn to Canada to practice after residency.

“[AUC] has just as good an education as anywhereelse and I’d love to challenge anyone who would comeup to me and tell me otherwise,” said Reid, who is inthe United States on a J-1 visa. The young doctor planson returning to Ontario after writing the U.S. pediatricsboard examinations upon finishing residency, in 2010.

“I think it’s a great option for Canadians,” she added.“It may take an extra couple of hoops to jump inorder to return, but it’s worth it.”

These “hoops” include the many rules set forth by eachCanadian province to assess medical doctors that gooutside of Canada for their medical education and/ortraining. The rules are different for individual provincesand can include extra examinations and furtherresidency training. Due to physician shortages in certainareas of the country, though, some of the hurdles arebecoming less burdensome, Reid said.

“Ontario has opened its doors and it has becomeeasier for Canadians who have been trained in foreignschools and completed residencies in the United Statesto go back,” she explained. Prior to 2008, CanadianIMGs had to complete an extra year of residency inCanada and write the Canadian boards in order toreturn to Ontario. Currently, according to Reid,Canadian IMGs are allowed to go back immediatelyafter residency and successfully writing the boardexams. They can go to work as a physician but haveto practice under a “mentor” for a period of time. Thementor is usually a Canadian-trained physician thatverifies their education and assesses themafter a year.

Although her plans had always been to return toCanada for practice, Reid says she never seriouslyconsidered returning to her native country for residency.

“I thought about it, but at the time there was a lotof red tape to go through to get back to Canadafor residency,” she explained. “And it was prettymuch laid out for me in the United States, so Ithought, ‘let’s just finish it off in one countryand then worry about the next.’”

In 2008, the rules governing the Canadian match have changed,making it easier for Canadian IMGs to obtain a residency than it waswhen Reid applied.

Still, she said she encountered no problems in securing a residency andmatching at her first-choice program in the United States.

“You have to study and get good grades,” she explained. “Once you get[board scores] that are equivalent to U.S. students, you will have no problemgetting the residency you want.”

The pediatrician-in-training is very satisfied with her program and theopportunities it has afforded her, such as a month-long international tropicalrotation to Madagascar last year.

“It made me confident,” said Reid of her Madagascar adventure. “WhenI came back I realized, ‘wow, I’m so thankful for my U.S. education,’ inthat I actually learned something and I am able to apply it.”

Reid encountered many rare diseases in the island nation off the southeasterncoast of Africa, such as schistosomiasis and malaria. She even caught a“bug” herself, which caused her to fall ill for part of her time on the trip.Even this minor inconvenience did not deter her from thoroughly enjoyingthe experience. She said one of her best memories was of a little boy shetreated for kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency, which had caused the boyto have a severe case of dermatosis as a manifestation of his disease.

“The [local doctors] didn’t know what it was, and we were able to helphim with a quick regimen that we would do in a heartbeat here in theUnited States,” said Reid. “Once I helped him out it was amazing the turnthat he had, in such a short time. It was really bad edema, and once wegot that in control, he was a different little boy.”

Reid said she plans on traveling abroad for a medical rotation in the nearfuture, hopefully to her beloved Caribbean.

She also has some advice for Canadian applicants interested in the AUCroute. “Get a loan in the United States,” as the Canadian loan system isdifferent and requires a different pay schedule. She also suggests settingup clinical rotations in Canada. Reid completed four elective rotationsthrough the University of Toronto, which she set up herself by contactingthe university directly.

“Participating in community service while at medical school also can’t hurt,”Reid added. She created a program called “M.D. to Be” while on the

island, in which AUC students mentored local highschool biology students.

But most importantly, Reidadvises medical students — Canadian

or otherwise — to treasure their brief timeon the island, as time does tend to fly.

“I loved St. Maarten so much, I wish I couldgo back to medical school,” Reid said. “It

was the journey, not the destination.” q

AUC CONNECTIONS 31Individuals should check with the appropriate regulatory authorities for updated information onundertaking a residency or establishing a practice in Canada, as regulations are constantly changing.

The Florida weather — typically rainy that time of year — granted arespite and the sun shone bright and glorious over 100 alumni and

their families who descended upon Coral Gables on the weekend ofSeptember 5, in celebration of the 2008 Alumni Reunion and the AmericanUniversity of the Caribbean’s 30th Anniversary.

It was truly a family affair for the close-knit AUC community. Alumnirepresenting the classes of 1982 all the way up to 2008, got together fora weekend of mingling with old friends and meeting new ones. Graduatescame from around the country to reminisce about their days on the islandsof Montserrat or St. Maarten. Former and current professors, members ofthe board of directors and Miami AUC staff were present to celebrate threedecades of medical education.

It didn’t seem to matter that alumni went to two very different Caribbeanislands during three very distinct decades. The generations of doctors who

passed through AUC’s halls in — at times — uncertain circumstances,have all created an unbreakable bond. Friendships that were forged on“The Rock,” (whichever that rock may be) through hardships and alsoadventure, were clearly cemented and have survived graduation and thepassage of time. Alumni may be practicing in diverse specialties and inopposite parts of the country, but they remain connected through a veryunique shared experience.

“The reunions have helped us keep in touch with the great AUC friends— and their families — we’ve made over the past twenty years,” saidRichard Campbell, M.D. (‘87), who attended for the second time withwife Linda, son Curt and daughter-in-law Katy. “These folks played a hugepart in my success at AUC.”

Kenneth Redlin, M.D. (’83), agrees. “It was a wonderful event and weare still talking about it,” he said. “There is truly a special bond between

AUC classmates. The reunion was a greatopportunity to renew old friendships and sharewonderful memories.”

For some, like Jerome Kuhnlein, M.D. (’84) andAbe Hardoon, M.D. (’86), who brought theirfamilies along, those memories were renewedas AUC becomes a family tradition. Kuhnlein’sson Ryan, who was in utero during part of hisdad’s medical education and was born while

his dad was taking the ECFMG exam, is thinkingof medical school at AUC. Hardoon, whosenephew is attending basic medical sciences on theisland, came with son Scott, who got his medicaldegree from AUC in 2008 and was on board asa young child during his father’s Monstserrat days.

AUC 30 Years

32 AUC CONNECTIONS

How Far We’ve Come!AUC Alumni Weekend 2008 and 30th Anniversary Celebration

p p p p p p p p

Top: Dr. Jerry Ferrell (’86)with wife Laura.

Bottom: Drs. PaulValigorsky (’87) andLawrence Fazioli (’87).

Right: AUC Chief FinancialOfficer Paul Suid chats withDr. Andrew Luxenberg (’86).

Photos by Robert Holmes.

“The reunions have helped us keepin touch with the great AUC friends— and their families — we’ve made

over the past twenty years.”

AUC CONNECTIONS 33

“It is really a nice event that the school puts out where you meet old friendsand discuss the ‘good old days’ in Montserrat or St. Maarten,” said AbeHardoon. His son, Scott, who represented the most recent graduating classat the reunion and is currently an internal medicine resident at OrlandoRegional Hospital, agrees. “It was an amazing experience to meet alumnifrom a generation ago. These are the verypeople that paved the way for AUC’s currentgreat reputation.”

It was a sentiment echoed not only by alumni,but also professors, present and past — thoughnot forgotten.

“It was wonderful seeing our graduates againand reminiscing with them about old times,”said Robert Chertok, Ph.D., former dean ofmedical sciences who was part of the AUCfamily from 1987 to 2002. Chertok and hiswife, Dottie, are still remembered fondly bygraduates and faculty. “One of the greatpleasures in our lives is seeing our students become so successful andknowing that we had a very small part in helping them along the way,”Chertok explained.

“It was a joy to see so many graduates that I taught when they were students,”said Douglas Model, MBBS, FRCP, associate clinical dean for England.

“All of them have made great successes of their careers. Seeing them mademy journey to attend the Board meeting earlier that day worthwhile.”

Ronald Testa, Ph.D., professor of behavioral sciences, associate dean ofstudent affairs and director of student services, who attended his first alumnireunion, was also effusive. “It was truly a privilege to learn of the wonderful

service of our graduates, to experience theircontinuing affection for one another and forthe institution that provided them with anopportunity to fulfill their dreams, and to laughand rejoice in the 30 year success story ofAUC,” he said.

Planning for the special weekend began ayear before. The city of Coral Gables, or “theGables,” as locals call it, was chosen for itsproximity to shops and restaurants so that alumniand guests could enjoy their down-time andpartake in walking-distance activities — atreat in car-oriented South Florida.

The festivities started on Friday night with a reception by the rooftop poolof the historic Colonnade Hotel, overlooking the city. The weather couldnot have been nicer — sunny, breezy and mild in spite of the threat of alooming storm — and the informal affair was a great moment to “breakthe ice,” and mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

“It was wonderfulseeing our

graduates againand reminiscing

with them aboutold times.”

Top left: Drs. JamesKochkodan (‘83),Morgan Warffuel (‘83),Lily Liu (‘84) andKenneth Redlin (‘83).

Bottom left: Dr. SaulMuro (’89) andwife Cheryl.

Top right: Dr. JeffreyKagan (’88) chats withDr. Richard Campbell(’87) and family.

Bottom right: Dr. ErikJacobsen (’01) andhis wife, Amy.

p p p p p p p p p p p

On the following evening, alumni gathered in the beautiful colonnade ballroom at the namesakehotel for a cocktail hour punctuated by the sound of a piano. Alumni association president FaithDillard, M.D. (’01) welcomed all present and shared AUC anecdotes and trivia. Chief Academic

Officer Bruce Kaplan, D.O., took the microphone and asked the classes of Montserrat and St.Maarten to stand up and cheer when “their” island was called. There was incredible emotion,clapping and whistling as one side tried to “outcheer” the other. (The jury is still out on whichgroup has the most school spirit!)

Sue Atchley, Ph.D., professor of immunology and director of community services and externalaffairs, delineated some of the new developments on campus, including the many strides studentsare making in research and community service, such as health fairs and screenings, to the localpopulation of St. Maarten.

This year’s alumni awards recipients were Kim-Doan Katrina Nguyen, M.D. (’02), who won theprofessional achievement award, and Rizwana Fareeduddin, M.D. (’01), who took home thedistinguished service award.

Nguyen, who was not present, was honored by AUC, her peers and the Alumni Association forher indefatigable research and teaching work as a pediatric gastroenterology fellow at SUNYDownstate in Brooklyn, N.Y. Nguyen was the first foreign medical graduate to be awarded theCommunity Access to Child Health grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The grant allows

34 AUC CONNECTIONS

p p p p p p p p p p p

CME

For our second reunion, once again weco-sponsored a continuing medical educationprogram with the University of Miami MillerSchool of Medicine. This time around,however, there was an exciting surprise instore for the participants: one of the threephysicians selected to present was fellowAUC alumnus Daniel Yip, M.D. (’89).

Yip, assistant professor of medicine andmedical director of the Heart Failure andTransplantation service at the Mayo Clinic inJacksonville, Florida, talked about accepteddrugs, the use of devices and the role ofcardiac transplantation in the treatment ofheart failure.

“It was an honor for me to be able to speakat the CME event as an AUC graduate andrepresent the class of 1989,” Yip said. “Ifasked again, I would be very happy to giveanother presentation in the future. There aremany talented AUC grads and it would bea wonderful opportunity to have a CMEevent with grads presenting and gradsattending the education portion of thereunion,” he added.

The response from alumni who attended theevent was so positive, in fact, that plans areto do just that: have future CME programstaught by AUC graduates who are leadersin the world of medicine. And to offer theseprograms to current students as well.

“If current AUC students had the opportunityto attend an education conference givenby graduates,” Yip suggested, “not onlywould they be able to advance theirknowledge base, but also see AUC graduatesin a leadership role.”

The other two educational sessions presentedat the CME program were on in-vitrofertilization, taught by George Attia, M.D.;and meta-energetics, taught by Janet Konefal,Ph.D., both University of Miami Miller Schoolof Medicine faculty. Conference attendeescould claim up to three CME credits. q

Dr. Mohan Persaud (’82)and his wife, Meena.

“The reunion allowed us to reunite,reminisce and exchange stories for

the ‘zillionth’ time and [we are] nevertoo old to hear them again and againwith some of our long lost friends.”

Ryan, Colleen andDr. Jerry Kuhnlein (’84).

pediatricians to plan community-based projects to increase children accessto medical or specific health services that are otherwise unavailable. InNguyen’s case, she used the $2,860 grant to fund free health screeningsfor children who were underinsured, not insured or who were insured thoughdid not have a primary care doctor.

Fareeduddin, a busy maternal-fetal medicine fellow at the prestigiousCedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, was present to receive her award.The award recognizes alumni who have gone above and beyond in serviceto their alma mater. In spite of her hectic schedule, Fareeduddin still findsthe disposition to devote time to the alumni contact network and serve asthe alumni association’s secretary. AUC’s alumni programs would not beas successful without people like Fareeduddin.

Another very special award was saved for last. Kaplan called on stage— to a standing ovation — Paul Schnatz, M.D., chief academic officerand executive/clinical dean for the American University of the CaribbeanSchool of Medicine from 2000 to 2008. The Distinguished Service Awardwas given in appreciation of his commitment and dedicated service to theUniversity. Schnatz will continue on with AUC as clinical dean for theUnited States.

After guests dined on a duo entreè of filet mignon and pan seared mahimahi with lobster beurre-blanc sauce and delicious desserts, Chief OperatingOfficer Yife Tien said a few words about the trajectory of the school fromits humble beginnings to where it is today. To conclude the exciting evening,everyone was treated to a slide show — with art submitted by alumni —that displayed a pictorial history of the past three decades of the school.Few eyes were dry at the end of the presentation, as alumni re-lived theirincredible medical school journeys and renewed their sense of pride fortheir alma mater.

Said James Kochkodan, M.D. (’83), “meeting other alums and staff andattending the reunion events made me all the more proud, enthusiastic andexcited about our great school and its future success.”

“The reunion allowed us to reunite, reminisce and exchange stories for the‘zillionth’ time and [we are] never too old to hear them again and againwith some of our long lost friends,” said Lily Liu, M.D. (’84), who attendedwith her husband, Morgan Warffuel, M.D. (’83). “It permitted us to recaptureour youth that, once upon a time, was and will never be again – how sad!– except in memory.”

As for the third reunion, plans are still on the drawing board. The office ofalumni relations is open to suggestions for the next venue and to increaseparticipation. We are definitely excitedly anticipating the next celebration.

No one said it better than Lily Liu, when asked if she would attend athird reunion.

“Bring it on!” q

First: Dr. Vasuki Sittampalam (’98), Trish Newlands and Dr. Katherine Anglin (’98).Second: Drs. Judy Anderson (’81), Ricardo Garcia-Rivera (’81), his wife Lilian,Ken and Ollie Mae Gatewood (’82) Third: AUC faculty meet and reminisce.Dottie Chertok, Drs. Douglas Model, Robert Chertok and Sue Atchley.Fourth: The Hardoon clan: Barbara, Abe (’86), Valerie and Scott (’08).

p p p p p p p p p p p

AUC CONNECTIONS 35

Dr. Robert “Bob” Di Giulio (‘90)

Dr. Ali R. Malek (‘95)

Dr. Maj. Ahmad Slim (‘99)

Dr. Angela Camfield (‘00)

Dr. Wael Mourad (‘04)

1970’sNiberto Leonardo Moreno, M.D. (’79) was appointed chief of cardiothoracic surgery for Baptist Health System inMiami, Fla.

1980’sRobert Koser, M.D. (’81) is board certified in family medicine and practices solo in Bradenton, Fla. Koser is a single dadto five children — Bobby, Tommy, Sara, John and Becky.

M. Jonathan Tessler, M.D. (’81) twice boarded in internal medicine, has maintained a private practice in the Bronxfor the past 22 years. He is a clinical instructor of medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and hasreceived the Award for Teaching Excellence from the college in 2008, the same he received six years ago. Tessler and his wife,Marie, have been married 25 years and have two daughters, Jessica, 15, and Joanna, 20. Joanna is a senior and honorstudent at Skidmore College.

Joe Sciammarella, M.D. (’85) participated in a medical relief mission to the Dominican Republic with the Army Reservein 2008. The mission treated over 5,000 patients in two weeks. Sciammarella is a major with the U.S. Army.

Joel Last, M.D. (’86) is currently on staff at Excella Health in Greensburg, Pa., where he practices psychiatry. He recordeda CD, “Foolish Hearts,” a collection of ballads including Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” and Hammerstein’s “I Have Dreamed.”The CD is the first of three and is being sold at the hospital gift shop for $10. Proceeds will go to various charities.

Mark A. Messinese, M.D. (’86) is currently practicing internal medicine in Northern Florida. He is chief of the departmentof internal medicine at Baptist Medical Systems in Jacksonville Beach. Messinese, an avid surfer, photographer and golfer, hasthree of his five children in college, one of whom is pre-med. Messinese said he would love to hear from classmates and fondlyremembers his friend and professor, Robert Chertok.

Jeffrey Kagan, M.D. (’88) has passed the board exams for hospice and palliative care medicine. He is a board-certifiedinternist in private practice in Connecticut since 1991. Kagan is part time director of Vitas Innovative Hospice, in Hartfort,Conn. Hospice and palliative care medicine became an official subspecialty in 2007.

Stephen Soloway, M.D. (’88) was selected as one of 2009’s “Top Doctors” by Philadelphia Magazine for the fourthyear in a row. He was also selected for the seventh time to the Guide to America’s Top Physicians, as published by CastleConnolly. Soloway is a rheumatologist and practices in Vineland, N.J.

1990’sRobert “Bob” Di Giulio, M.D. (’90) has been working for the past nine years as a hospitalist in Lynchburg, Va. Herecently earned a pilot’s license which he plans to use for future jobs. Before going to Virginia, Di Giulio worked in a varietyof office practices and emergency rooms in Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. He is currently department chairfor internal medicine at Medical Associates of Central Virginia, which is part of the Centra Corporation and has been rankeda top 25 hospital in the United States. Di Giulio has been married for 18 years, and has a son at the University of Virginia,and a daughter about to graduate high school.

36 AUC CONNECTIONS

Class Notes

From left to right:Drs. Robert Chertok,Eugene Arnoldand Duncan Munrocelebrate commencementwith new graduateDr. Kim Karschner (‘87)on Montserrat.

Photo submittedby Robert andDottie Chertok.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our alumna and friend Janet Kimberly “Kim” Karschner, M.D.(’87). Karschner, 53, passed away suddenly at her home on August 20, 2008. She was born on June 3, 1955, in

Connellsville, Pa., the daughter of William E. “Bud” Moyer and Frances Furin Moyer, and was preceded in death by herloving husband, David Lee Karschner. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh MedicalCenter’s Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. Karschner had practiced medicine at UPMC Shadyside and served there from 1991to 2000 as an instructor in the internal medicine residency program. She took particular pride in her 10 years as a member ofthe faculty at Shadyside, where she taught general internal medicine as well as cardiovascular and renal medicine. In 1998,Karschner was named by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Health and Science editors as one of the Top 25 Women Doctors inWestern Pennsylvania. In that same year, she opened her own practice in Uniontown, Pa., where she was much loved by herpatients. Her professional affiliations included the American Medical Association, the American Collegeof Physicians and Surgeons, the Allegheny Medical Society and the American Society of Hypertension.

Former Dean Robert Chertok remembers Kim as “a wonderful gal,” who had many friends among thestudents, faculty and the people of Montserrat. She will be greatly missed. q

AUC CONNECTIONS 37

C.J. “Paul” Flora, M.D. (’92), an internist in Lihu’e, Hawaii, waschosen by the readers of the Garden Isle newspaper as 2008’s “BestPhysician.” Flora is the owner of Aloha Medical Center, which employsthree other doctors. The practice offers general physician services as wellas echocardiograms and bone density testing.

Mark A. Thoma, M.D. (’92) specializes in internal medicine andpractices in Pound Ridge, N.Y.

Ali R. Malek, M.D. (’95), interventional neurologist, has joinedSt. Mary’s Medical Center, in West Palm Beach, Fla., as medical director of thehospital’s neurointerventional program. Malek is triple-boarded in neurology,neurocritical care and vascular neurology. He formerly practiced at TampaGeneral Hospital, where he served as the director of neurosciences ICUfor five years. He was also member of the faculty in the departments ofneurology and neurosurgery at the University of South Florida. Malek hasbeen involved in professional and community organizations throughout hismedical career, namely as vice president of the American Heart AssociationFlorida/Puerto Rico affiliate, and as member of the board of directors ofthe Florida Society of Neurology.

Rhazi Khodadad, M.D. (’98) and Antonio Rojas, M.D. (‘98)have reconnected in Cincinnati, Ohio, and are now practicing together.Khodadad and Rojas are both internists.

Omaima Degani, M.D. (’99) is practicing nephrology in VernonHills, Ill. She and husband Nadeem have two children, Saira and Sahil.

Maj. Ahmad Slim, M.D. (’99) is currently director of preventivecardiology; director of cardiac rehabilitation; director of the CoumadinClinic and assistant director of cardiovascular research at Brooke ArmyMedical Center, in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his cardiologyfellowship last year. Slim received the army commendation medal in2008. He has served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps since 2003, and

was awarded several service medals throughout his military career. Slimis a prolific researcher and was published in several peer-review journalsand publications, including the Journal of Interventional Cardiology. He isa fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Jason S. Thomas, M.D. (’99), completed his residency training inpsychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston in 2004,and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicinein 2005. He is currently a forensic psychiatrist and assistant professor atTulane. He is board-certified in clinical and forensic psychiatry. Thomasand his wife, Monica, have two children, Karina and Kyle, and live inBaton Rouge, La.

2000’sAngela Camfield, M.D. (’00) became chief of pediatric anesthesia atCovenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, in January 2009.

Richard Peterson, M.D. (’00) recently returned from Iraq where he wasdeployed as a combat trauma surgeon with the U.S. Air Force. Peterson iscurrently chief of bariatrics and advanced laparoscopic surgery at the USAFflagship hospital, Wilford Hall Medical Center, in San Antonio, Texas.

Asif M. Qadri, M.D. (’00) has completed a gastroenterology fellowshipat MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and joined AthensGastroenterology Association in Athens, Ga., in July 2008. Qadri andhis wife welcomed a new addition to their family, a son named ZakariyyaXavian Qadri, born in December 2006. The couple has two other children,Kian and Kalen.

Obituary

It was late on a balmy January afternoon, the sun hurrying down to awell-deserved rest deep in the blue bosom of the Eastern Caribbean Sea.

A noisy little plane, one of series, descends on an unsuspecting island.Fearing a collision with the mountain and desperately dependent on thelight, it races with the sun to the horizon. Safely landed, the passengersemerge. Having no regard for the little plane’s courage they instead jokeabout LIAT, “luggage in another town.”

And what an odd assortment they are. Young men and (a few) women,hoping to become physicians. They were ambitious, apprehensive, andabsolutely unaware of what lay before them.

Most were privileged, protected and some a bit pompous. Apart from aneducation, they came expecting scenes from a Caribbean dream vacation:endless white-sand beaches, cool sea breezes and romantic evenings withfree-flowing rum under moonlit skies. In any event they took for granted hotwater, air conditioning and cable TV. Hurricanes, mosquitoes, electricaloutages, and no-see-ums were most certainly not part of the plan.

And so it was, piled with their few belongings, in the backs of caravanningpickup trucks that this first wave of expatriates made their way from theW.H. Bramble Airport to Plymouth. Arriving as they did, in the wake ofChristmas carnival season, they perhaps should not have been so surprisedto find campus construction, shall we say, a bit behind schedule. And whilethe uncompleted classrooms were for many a “bearable disappointment,”the apparent absence of anywhere to sleep, eat, bathe or do laundry wasmore than a little unsettling.

It was in no small measure the kindness, good humor, and general optimismof the Montserratian people that made these early days bearable for thestudents. Even the school’s makeshift arrangements for housing dependedheavily on their good will. And while some, overwhelmed by the circumstances,gave up and went home, most stayed.

We were among those who stayed. I, and ten or so other male students,were put up in the unfinished ‘Joseph House.’ Jo Ann, one of only a fewwomen in that first group, stayed with a local nurse, Mrs. White. Throughthe chaos, routines slowly emerged and gradually, the campus took shape.

Early on I met Mrs. Charles; and Mrs. Charles, not “Martha,” she will alwaysbe to me. Odd really when I think about it, we were quickly more thanclose enough to be on first name basis. Maybe it’s that I never addressedmy own mother as Ann, and when all is said and done Mrs. Charlesbecame a mother away from home for so many of us.

Had she been the cook, maid or laundry lady she might have been“Martha.” But no, she was so very much more.

As word spread it wasn’t long before the circumference of the table and notthe size of her heart came to limit the number of students she could feed.

And for most, if not all of us, theCharles’ became our surrogatefamily. Not just Mrs. Charlesbut Frampton (same thing hereby the way, he was always Mr.Charles to me, in fact it was avery long time before I came toknow his first name… otherthan ‘my boy’ that is!), Bernadine, Colleen, John, and yes, little Sonia. Allbecame our island family.

Even when Jo Ann and I moved into the Hibbs’ house in Olveston wecontinued to see the family several times a week. Indeed even when the timecame to move back to the States we continued to correspond by mail andtelephone. We went on to marry, complete our medical training, and movedto California where we now live, practice and have a family. Through all theseyears, Mrs. Charles wrote faithfully, never missing Christmas or a birthday.

In 1992, for our tenth anniversary we returned to Montserrat, as much tosee Mrs. Charles as anything else.

When we heard in 1995 that the volcano did blow our first thought was forMrs. Charles. In time she came to live with John in Georgia. After a timewe received a late night call from her, excited to tell us of the move. Wequickly extended an invitation to come and visit us in California and justas quickly she responded that perhaps John could drive her over for dinnersome night soon. Distance and time zones were concepts as yet somewhatabstract for her. That said, I will be forever inspired by her unshakablefaith and simple wisdom.

Each of the innumerable cards and letters she wrote us began, “In Jesus’name.” And for Mrs. Charles this was no mere formality. It was an expressionof heart and soul. And so now do I say to you, “In Jesus” name, know thatMrs. Charles is home. Home where she belongs, beyond suffering, painand sadness. Yes, even beyond distance and time zones. She will live onin our memories, visit in our dreams, and forever be a shining example ofthe beauty of the human spirit. q

Martha Charles passed away with her devoteddaughter Sonia by her side. She is survived by her lovingchildren Bernadine Brade, of Montserrat; Kathleen Daley,

of Houston; Frampton John Charles, of Atlanta;and Sonia Charles, of Manchester, U.K.;

seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Eulogy written by Bill Pullen, M.D. (‘82). Dr. Pullen and his wife, Jo Ann Pravata-Pullen, M.D., met and fell in love during medical school in Montserrat. Theyhave kept in touch with the Charles family, who was a surrogate family forthem and other students during those early AUC days. The Emerald Isle of theCaribbean and the Charles family will forever be a part of their lives.

38 AUC CONNECTIONS

Obituary

38 AUC CONNECTIONS

Martha Charles(01/04/1933 - 02/21/2009)

In late 2002, Monica Jiddou, M.D.(’06) was a newlywed and happily

working as a clinical study manager atPfizer when she received a call fromFarrah, a childhood friend. Farrah’shusband, Joe Prezzato, M.D. (’06)was applying to medical school atAUC in St. Maarten, and they wantedMonica to come along for the adventure.

She knew about the school through hercousins, Patrick Alexander, M.D. (’04) and Rhonda Yono, M.D.(’06), now AUC graduates. But medical school at such a faraway islandwasn’t really in Jiddou’s plans. Her husband, Andy Patros, had justpurchased a business in the United States and would not be able to gowith her. She was also not very enthusiastic about leaving her career atPfizer, which she enjoyed. Her husband, however, encouraged her toapply, and two-and-a-half months later, Jiddou was on a plane with herfriends Joe and Farrah en route to the island. The Prezzatos did not believeJiddou was really going until the morning of January 2003, when the threemet at the airport to fly to St. Maarten.

The close friends were enjoying their first semester so much that they stronglyencouraged Monica’s sister, Renee Jiddou, M.D. (’07), to apply. Aftera couple of months of convincing, Renee joined them in May of that year.The four friends lived together in a condo in Cupecoy Beach Club and builta support system like no other.

“The fact that they were there made the transition to the island much easier,”said Monica Jiddou.

The sisters are now both internal medicine residents at William BeaumontHospital, in West Bloomfield, Mich. Monica has been accepted into acardiology fellowship at the same hospital and will begin in July. Futureplans are to go into private practice, possibly with cousin Patrick Alexander,a cardiologist.

Renee fell in love with infectious diseases during her first year of residencyand has been active in research with some of the attending physicians atthe hospital. She was selected to be one of the chief residents and willbegin fellowship in 2011.

Prezzato is an OB/GYN resident at Providence Hospital and will completehis medical training next year. He and wife Farrah have two daughters,Isabella and Julianna. q

Drs. Renee Jiddou (’07)and Monica Jiddou (’06)

Speros Livieratos, M.D. (’07) and Shonna McGee, M.D. (’07),were both chosen to be chief residents in the internal medicine residency

program at Memorial Health University Medical Center, in Savannah, Ga.

AUC: Did you know each other on the island during basic sciences?Shonna: No, we were in separate semesters and never had classestogether. Speros: I knew who Shonna was but we did not know eachother. We had friends in common.

AUC: Why did you pick Memorial for residency?Speros: I realized after doing my third year cores in London and myfourth year electives in New York City that I was ready to return to theSouth. I received several pre-match offers to stay in New York but it camedown between Orlando, Fla., and Savannah. I grew up in SoutheastGeorgia and did my undergrad in Savannah. It’s is a great small city thathas a Level One trauma center and a really busy 500-plus bed hospital. It’srare during the “residency hunt” to find a great program and to like thearea as well. Shonna: I spent most of my fourth year in Savannah, whichprovided a very personal experience, a chance to meet the full staff ofattending physicians, and it was clear that Memorial Health UniversityMedical Center was a highly focused and exceptional teaching hospital.Here I found the residents and faculty eager to teach, the camaraderieand teamwork among the house staff stood out from other programs thatI visited during my clerkship. My decision was also influenced by the factthat Memorial is the only Level One trauma center for the area, maintainsa maximum census, and is consistently presented with a steady flow ofinteresting and diverse cases. It also helps that Savannah is one of theprettiest cities in America, and it is where I met my husband to be!

AUC: Do you think AUC prepared you well for residency training?Speros: AUC gave me the fundamentals that I needed to pass all threesteps [of the USMLE] exams. Futhermore, I believe that choosing to go toLondon, England, was the best decision of my medical school career. The

doctors in London are very welltrained with superb clinician skills.From the first day on thoserotations, we were doingprocedures and learning howto do a very good history andphysical. I would never changethat decision to go overseas.Shonna: The curriculum and instruction during basic sciences was sufficientfor mastering the skills necessary for the [USMLE]. The clinical rotationsprovided me with not only the skills to be a competitive candidate duringinterviews, but also gave me the confidence I needed during wards onbusy and challenging calls as an intern. I was very thankful for proceduralskills that I acquired while on rotations at AUC. The expansion of clinicalclerkships at AUC allows students to learn and practice in various cities ofpotential interest for residency.

AUC: What are your plans for after residency?Speros: I am currently interviewing for fellowships in pulmonary and criticalcare medicine, also planning on doing a second fellowship in sleep medicine.I am hoping to become faculty and work in those fields in the future, and tostay in the southeast. Shonna: Although I thoroughly enjoy critical care andhospital medicine, I have decided that my true passion lies in outpatientmedicine with a focus on prevention. Maximizing treatment for illnessesthat plague a large portion of our society such as obesity, heart disease,diabetes, hypertension, and depression is a satisfying and obtainable goalfor me. My passion is to keep people out of the hospital as much as possibleand to focus on risk factor modification and healthy lifestyle. I believe goodprimary care is imperative for developing a strategy to reduce unnecessaryhospitalizations and is the primary element for reducing overall medicalcosts. I want to assist people with better lifestyle choices that will lead toreduced mortality and an enhanced quality of life. q

AUC CONNECTIONS 39

Spotlight

I’ve been doinghumanitarian missions for the last two years in Ethiopia,East Africa, with a Detroit cardiothoracic surgeon. In2007 we performed nine open-heart surgeries and last year, 20 openhearts, seven pacemaker implantations and 15 oral maxillofacial surgeries. All

the patients had to go through my unit and we had a very successful mission.My lovely wife Heidi Gizaw — whom I married in St. Maarten — and I have threechildren: Rachel, 4, Savannah, 3, and Caleb, 1. I graduated on April 10 as acommissioned officer at the U.S. Naval School in Newport, R.I. I “militarymatched” in internal medicine at the Naval Medical Center, in Portsmouth, Va.,and am expected to start internship June, 2009.

— Dr. Gabriel T. Gizaw (‘07) Lt/Mc/USN40 AUC CONNECTIONS

From the Mailbag

Dr. Elmer Mark Kropp (‘87)

I would like to sharewhat I have been doingover the last few years since I

feel AUC gave me such an opportunity to

do what I love. I have been working for the Los

Angeles Department of Mental Health for the past seven

years. I completed a fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical

Center in pediatric psychiatry and was chief fellow. I also

won an academic award in my final year of fellowship. I

am now moving on to a different kind of practice — I am

relocating to Sacramento and will be working for the state,

providing psychiatric care to maximum-security inmates. I

have always been interested in forensic psychiatry and have

been given an exciting opportunity. I wanted to thank AUC

for everything and would encourage anyone interested in

attending to go for it!— Jennifer Heitkamp, M.D. (’92)

I’m currently experi

encinga great

life inMinas

Gerais, Braz

il.

The culture

is incredibly divers

e andthe fo

od is very healthy.

Thereare tr

opicalfruits

with three t

ypes of bananas and four

varieties of ora

nges.The la

nd is primarily cof

fee fazendas. I went

out with the har

vest workers, wh

o earn 20 Reais a day (that’

s

about$10) an

d nearlygot bit by a cobra

! I am amazed by the

wildlife. Ther

e areover 7

8 species of bird

s here. Ihave s

een the

“FruitLoops

” magpie tou

can along with p

arrots and canar

ies of

various color

s including bright

orange, gre

en andred. It

’s the

startof spr

ing and the trees are bl

ossoming in yell

ow, white

and violet. My city is litera

lly on a volcano. The

spa here is

from the turn of t

he century w

ith hotminera

l water bath

s. It’s

a four-hour bu

s trip to Rio de janeiro where

Copacabana

and Ipanema beache

s rival Hawaii.

The nightlife

is an adventure

and the music is roman

tic. I am a stron

g advocate of

travel and

highlyrecom

mend a week here, in

cluding a good

churrasco-BBQ!

— Elmer Mark

Kropp,M.D. (’8

7)

Dr. Gabriel T. Gizaw (‘07) and his family.

Contact Information:(Note: Contact information will NOT be published. This information will be used by the editorial board tocontact you if there is a need for clarification)

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Name while attending AUC (if different): ______________________________________

Title: ____________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________ State: ____________ Zip Code: ____________

Daytime Phone: __________________________________________________________

Evening Phone: ____________________________________________________________

Fax: ____________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address: ____________________________________________________________

Spouse’s Name: __________________________________________________________

Children’s Names:__________________________________________________________

Academic Information:

Class Year: ______________________________________________________________

Certification(s): __________________ Specialty: ______________________________

Announcements: (approximately 100 words)Personal: (marriage, travel, births announcements, etc. )

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Professional: (research, residencies, fellowships, honors, licensures,private practices, published works, etc.)

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________AUC Connections editors reserve the right to edit all print submissions for length and clarity.

RizwanaFareeduddin,M.D. (‘01) andMatthewCalestino, M.D.(‘00) weremarried on May1, 2009, inFlorida. Fareeduddin is completing her fellowship inmaternal/fetal medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Centerin Los Angeles and has accepted a position at ProvidenceHospital in Southfield, Mich. Calestino will continue hiswork as a hospitalist. The couple met while completingtheir residencies at Providence Hospital.

Penny Heinrich, M.D. (’03) completed her internalmedicine residency at Louisiana State University HealthSciences Center in New Orleans in June 2008. She wasnominated for resident of the year for 2008. Heinrich iscurrently practicing as a hospitalist in Slidell, La. She willbe starting a fellowship in hematology/oncology atLSUHSC in Shreveport in July 2009.

Lori V. Duncan, M.D. (’04) completed her internalmedicine residency at the University of South Floridaand currently works as a hospitalist at Rex Hospital, inRaleigh, N.C. She is ABIM-certified. Duncan and husbandJeff welcomed a daughter, Madalyn Elizabeth Duncan,born on July 3, 2008.

Wael Mourad, M.D. (’04) was recently appointedassistant professor of medicine at the University of Missouri,Kansas City School of Medicine, in the department ofcommunity and family medicine residency program.

Maisara Rahman, M.D. (’05), family practitioner,signed on as core faculty with the Loma Linda Universityfamily practice program, in Loma Linda, Calif.

Classmates Jason Lee, M.D. (’05), Edwin Chan,M.D. (’05), and Josh Manavi, M.D. (’05), who allstarted medical school at the same time in May 2001,reunited in Toledo, Ohio, as family medicine residentsat Flower Hospital. Lee, who will finish in 2010, hopesto return to California for “that first real job.”

Ruben Garcia, M.D. (’06) will finish his residency infamily medicine this June from the St. John Hospital andMedical Center, in Detroit. He has accepted a primarycare position with Physician’s Clinic/Medicine LodgeMemorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kan., and will alsobe the Medical Director for the Hutchinson CommunityCollege emergency medical services program inHutchinson, Kan. q

AUC CONNECTIONS 41

Class Notes Form

�

Mail to: MEAS, Office of Alumni Relations901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 700Coral Gables, FL 33134

Via e-mail at: aucconnections@aucmed.edu

Drs. Rizwana Fareeduddin (‘01) andMatthew Calestino (‘00).

Class Notes

On January 23, 2009, the Montserrat Cultural Centre unveiled a“Wall of Fame” with bronze hand casts of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir

Elton John and Mark Knopfler. The casts signify the “helping hand” theyprovided by performing in the Music for Montserrat concert at the RoyalAlbert Hall on September 15, 1997, after the eruption of the Soufriere HillsVolcano. The concert was organized by legendary producer Sir GeorgeMartin, whose connections with Montserrat date back over 30 years. SirGeorge’s handprints also appear on the wall, with percussionist RayCooper’s hands completing the current line-up. The cultural center hopesthat the “Wall of Fame” will soon be extended to include the handprintsof other artists who performed at the Music for Montserrat concert. Theseinclude Jimmy Buffet, Montserrat’s own Alphonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell, EricClapton, Phil Collins, Dave Hartley, the London Gospel Community Choir,Sting and Ian Thomas.

As many Montserrat alumni remember, the island was once the home ofAIR (Associated Independent Recording) Studios. Opened by former Beatlesproducer Sir George Martin in 1978, the studio proudly hosted some ofthe biggest musicians of all time. During the 11 years it was open, artistssuch as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, The Police, The Rolling Stones,Elton John, Eric Clapton, Luther Vandross, Sheena Easton, Earth, Wind &Fire, Jimmy Buffett, Duran Duran and Lou Reed all graced the halls andcreated sweet sounds enjoyed by many to this day.

Providing state-of-the-art recording equipment in a relaxed Caribbeansetting, AIR Studios was the location where albums such as Volcano byJimmy Buffett, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity by The Police,

Breaking Hearts and Two Low for Zero byElton John, Give Me the Reason and AnyLove by Luther Vandross, Behind theSun by Eric Clapton, and Tug of Warby Paul McCartney were produced.AIR Studios was one of the mostpopular recording studios until its

destruction by HurricaneHugo in

1989.

Even though ahurricane and vol-

canic eruption causedthe studio to close its doors,Sir George Martin, who fellin love with the island in the1970s, wanted to continue

the musical and artistic education of the island. After the volcanic destructionof the 1990s, Martin led the way in raising funds for a new cultural centerby spearheading a major fundraising concert event. Dubbed Music forMontserrat, the concert was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1997and featured many of the former AIR Studios recording artists such asPaul McCartney, Sting, Elton John and Eric Clapton. Martin also sold500 autographed limited edition lithographs of the score he produced forthe Beatles’ song “Yesterday.”

On May 12, 2007, The Montserrat Cultural Centre, featuring the Sir GeorgeMartin Auditorium, opened its doors. Built at a cost of over $2 million andused as a venue for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, ceremonies, andother special events, the cultural center is part of the country’s long-termstrategy to develop Little Bay as a new urban area. For more information onthe Montserrat Cultural Centre, visit www.montserratculturalcentre.com. q

Island News

Montserrat Unveils Musical “Wall of Fame”Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Sir George Martin Casts on Display

OnMay 12, 2007,

The MontserratCultural Centre

openedits doors.

Photo credits:Kevin Westfor MontserratTourist Board.

42 AUC CONNECTIONS

The wild, windswept, epic 29th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta concludedin resounding style on Sunday, March 8, with the traditional prize-giving ceremony

on Kim Sha Beach followed by musical entertainment by a host of top reggae bandsincluding the legendary Wailers, who had a swaying crowd of thousands ofsailors and islanders dancing into the wee hours.

As race organizers and the dozens of volunteers who helped make the regattaa tremendous success — despite sometimes intense weather conditions thatchallenged sailors and race officials to be at the very top oftheir games — finally took a well-earned rest after the nearlyweek-long marathon of sailing and parties, plans were alreadybeing set in motion for the 30th running of the annual event,which is scheduled for March 4 to 7, 2010.

Steering committee chairman and eventco-founder Robbie Ferron said that the smallarmy of dedicated St. Maarten Heineken Regattavolunteers and organizers learned many new lessons inthis latest running of the annual event.

“There was a lot of evolution this year,” said Ferron. “We addedthe Budget Marine Match Racing Cup, which was a veryinteresting and successful experiment. And the IGY Commodore’sCup continues to be an important part of the regatta. But thisyear’s weather taught us quite a bit about logistics — andrisks — and how to address unforeseen challenges safely andefficiently. It turned out to be a memorable year.”

Everyone who sailed the 2009 St. Maarten Heineken Regattawill have lasting memories of the staunch northerly winds andthe often nasty seas over which they competed, but no one willrecall them as fondly as Jamie Dobbs and his talented crew aboardthe J/122, Lost Horizons, who were honored on March 8, for theMost Worthy Performance Overall of any boat in the 218-strongfleet. Dobbs and his team won the highly competitive Spinnaker 4division with a perfect record of four wins in four races.

“Jamie Dobbs is a special sailor,” said Ferron of the Antigua-basedcompetitor, a regular fixture at events across the Caribbean. “He’s a bit ofa curmudgeon but he has a big, big heart. He doesn’t miss a beat and hehas such a good crew. They’re so consistent, they just do everything right all thetime. They were certainly most worthy winners. They just sailed so well.”

Dobbs was not the only sailor recognized at the awards ceremony. Prizes were also presented to the top three podium finishers in all sixteen divisions ofthe regatta, and for the “Most Worthy Performers” on all three days of the event. The Friday, March 6, award went to the crew aboard Ralph Van den Berg’sCyclades 43, French Kiss, in the Bareboat 4 class. For Saturday, the honor belonged to the Charleston, South Carolina, team aboard the Cyclades 50,Sequoyah, racing in Bareboat 2. And on Sunday, Ronald O’Hanley’s canting keel Cookson 50, Privateer, the runaway winner of Spinnaker 2, was themost worthy boat of them all. q

Rough Seas Spur Competitionat Heineken Regatta

By Herb McCormack

AUC CONNECTIONS 43

Photos of the 2009 Regatta by Tim Wright.

44 AUC CONNECTIONS44 AUC CONNECTIONS

Shark Awareness Dive with Dive Safaris in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten.

Photo by Scott Levitt.

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